
Glass. 

Book^_ 



CL* 



&TEW"E y - 











SOUVENIR EDITION 

OF THE 

CHELSEA GAZETTE. 












ISSUED BY REQUEST OF 

THE BOARD OF TRADE 

AND ENTITLED 

THE 

City of Chelsea 

MASSACHUSETTS. 




COMPILED AND ILLUSTRATED BY 

CHARLES BANCROFT GILLESPIE. 


Her History, Her achievements, Her Opportunities. 










Published by The Chelsea Gazette. 

CHELSEA, MASS. 

1898. 














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HISTORICAL AND PICTORIAL DESCRIPTION OF 

CHELSEA, MASS. 



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M' 



ORE than any other town in the 
Massachusetts Bay Colony, or 
other town known to me on 
the continent, there are associated with 
Chelsea the greatest number of what are 



ing of the corner-stone of the Prattville 
schoolhouse, September 25, 1S97. As 
Chelsea's history becomes better known, 
the truth of that strong statement is 
perceived. 




U. S. GOVERNMENT GROUNDS, SHOWING NAVAL AND MARINE HOSPITALS. 



called ' first things,' " said Hon. Mellen 
Chamberlain in a recent address. The 
speaker, everyone in Chelsea will at once 
recognize, was the eminent scholar and 
author of the history of Chelsea (not yet 
published). He was speaking at the lay- 



The ownership and occupation of the 
land in the vicinity of Winnisimmet, now 
Chelsea, at the time of the arrival of the 
English, was in the children of Nanapash- 
anet, Sagamore John, Sagamore James and 
George Rumneymarsh. Samuel Maverick, 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



the first settler in Winnisimmet. landed on 
the shore of what is at present the United 
States Naval Hospital grounds, in 1624. 
At the same date Blackstone arrived and 
settled at Boston. 



The First Settler and the Scene of 
the Settlement. 



Maverick built a fortified house near 
where the pier now is on the grounds of 
the Naval hospital. This was probably 



of upland and marsh, and is not surpassed 
by any similar contiguous quality of land 
in the whole commonwealth for fertility, 
and it enjoyed the most singular felicity 
of having no acre of waste land within its 
borders. The upland is all capable of 
cultivation ; and its marshes are valuable 
for the natural grasses they perennially pro- 
duce." Maverick acquired Winnisimmet 
through Sagamore John. 

Maverick was a man of good family 
and of good education. He was a sturdy 




OLD PRATT HOMESTEAD. 



the first house in the Massachusetts Hay 
Colony. Governor Winthrop was enter- 
tained there in 1630. Judge Chamber- 
lain says that " the Indians once attacked 
it, and being repulsed, never attacked it 
again. This palisade house of Maverick's 
was standing as late as 1660, and, I have 
reason to suppose, as late as the Revolu- 
tion, and perhaps 1 8 1 5." Maverick 
engaged in trade with the Indians, and 
acquired Winnisimmet, which was des- 
cribed as " consisting of about 5000 acres 



churchman, or Episcopalian, and later in 
his career here this caused serious friction 
between him and Winthrop and others. 
For six years, however, Maverick nour- 
ished undisturbed. 

In 1630, when the settlement at Boston 
had got under way, we read that Maver- 
ick had the confidence of the people, so 
that he was appointed on several com- 
mittees by the general court. Noddle's 
Island, now East Boston, was sold to him 
for a nominal sum. In 16^2 he was ad- 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 




POLICE COU 

PROCESS OF CONSTRUCTION. 



RT BUILDING 

WILSON 4 WEBBER, ARCHITECTS. 



mitted as a freeman, for which he had 
made application in October, 1630. This 
entitled him to vote in the elections. In 
1635 he was suspected of not being in 
accord with the people in their opposition 
to the landing of a general governor, and 
was ordered to remove with his family to 
Boston, and was forbidden to entertain a 
stranger for 
more than 
one night, 
without the 
consent o f 
an assistant, 
as the mag- 
istrates were 
then called. 
He become 
disgusted 
w i t h the 
government 
a n d the 
churches in 
1648, and 
signed a re- 
monstrants' 
petition, 
gotten up 
b y a 1) r . 



Childe, and he was fined and imprisoned. 
A couple of years later he sold Noddle's 
Island, and disposed of Winnisimmet to 
Richard Bellingham, afterward governor, 
and removed from the colony. The sale 
of Winnisimmet to Bellingham was made 
as early as 1634, however. A map dated 
1634, in the British Museum, shows a 




CARY HOUSE. OLDEST IN CHELSEA. 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



group of three houses in Winnisimmet 

which, good authorities say, were without 
doubt of Maverick's erection. 

('■lowing accounts were written by the 
early settlers of this region to friends in 
England. Winnisimmet was described as 
a " very sweet place for situation, and 
stands very commodiously, the islands of 
the harbor keeping off wind and sea, tem- 
pering the winters and the waters of the 
bay mitigating the heat of the summer." 

A good authority says that Maverick 
served as one of the royal commissioners 



ker street, about the middle of the cen- 
tury for a place of country retirement. It 
is the oldest house in Chelsea. It has 
been greatly altered in latter years. It 
formerly had a sloping roof reaching al- 
most to the ground. Bellingham used it 
mostly for a hunting lodge, having a fine 
residence in Boston, about opposite the 
site of King's Chapel. A tradition says 
that when the British troops arrived some 
were quartered in the old Cary house. 
The Cary family had gone to live with 
the Harrison Cray Otis family. This 




FITZ PUBLIC LIBRARY. 



in the latter part of his life, which, if so, 
gave him a more prominent place in New 
England history than he enjoyed as an 
early settler. 



Old Houses — First Ferry — First 

County Road — Other Bits of 

Early History. 



Bellingham divided Winnisimmet into 
four great farms, known as the Williams, 
Shurtleff, Cary and Carter farms. He 

built the Cary house on what is now Par- 



story says that one of the officers com- 
mitted suicide there, and as they removed 
his body, blood dropped on the stairs. It 
is said that soldiers cut off the stained 
places with their swords, and when the 
family returned they had new pieces fitted 
in, which are still very noticeable, as it 
was impossible to match the wood, the 
stairs then being too years old and of a 
dark color. Some say. however, that 
British soldiers were never quartered in 
this house. There is a secret chamber in 
the house built to hide articles of value in 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



$ 









nnHi 



FRONT VIEW SOLDIERS' HOME. 








REAR VIEW SOLDIERS' HOME, SHOWING NEW ADDITIONS. 



8 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



times of peril. It is in the top of the 
house, and is reached by a peculiar pas- 
sage that winds around the chimney from 
the cellar. 

The Pratt house, on Washington Ave- 
nue, in the Prattville district, is the next 
oldest house in the city. The exact date 
of its erection is not known, but it was 
probably built at about the year 1700. 
The original Pratt homestead was built, 
probably as early as 1650, by Thomas 
Pratt, who died in 1732. He was the 
first of the Pratt family living in Winni- 
simmet. It was in the earlier house that 



then spoke of the first ferry, and the old- 
est county road in the colony, as follows : 
"As early as 1631, Thomas Williams 
undertook to set up a ferry between Win- 
nisimmet and Charlestown — the oldest in 
the United States of which I have seen 
any account ; and about the same time 
was begun on the grounds now belonging 
to the United States, near the present 
pier, what I suppose to be the oldest turn- 
pike in the country, and on which we are 
at this moment standing. Beginning at 
the pier, as I have said, it crossed sev- 
eral times what is now the turnpike, and 




REVIEW CLUB HOUSE. 



Washington was entertained at dinner, in 
1 775, when in Winnisimmet looking after 
the American soldiers stationed here. It 
stood as erected, with necessary altera- 
tions and additions, until demolished in 
1855. A portion of this house was used 
in the construction of the former resi- 
dence oi Mayor Herman W. Pratt, and 
the doorstone is incorporated in the wall 
of the park in Prattville. 

Judge < 'li irnberlain in his oration at the 
laying of the cornerstone of the Prattville 
schoolhouse, in speaking of "first things," 
mentioned the house of Maverick, and 



stretched away toward Lynn and Salem." 
Starling at the old ferry site, this road 
continued past the old Ferry Tavern, east- 
ward by the ShurtlefE farm mansion- 
house, along what is now Hawthorn 
Street, up the present line of Washing- 
ton Avenue, around Slade's corner where 
the Carter farm mansion stood, and 
where the road leading to Medford and 
Cambridge branched to the west (now 
Count)' road), and on to Sagamore Hill, 
now known as Mt. Washington, past the 
Pratt house, thence to the right through 
Fenno street to Kenno's corner, through 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



Revere, and then by Maiden street to 
Linden. In 1S04 the Salem turnpike was 
laid out. Until that time it was the most 
direct road from Essex county to Boston, 
and so, of course, was greatly travelled. 

The present Unitarian church building 
on Beach Street, Revere, although now a 
modern-looking structure, is, according 
to Judge Chamberlain, the oldest church 
edifice standing in Suffolk county. It was 
finished about the year 1 709, and the 
dedicatory services were conducted by 
Rev. Cotton Mather, of Boston. For 



ham, who owned almost the whole of 
Chelsea, and who proposed to set up a 
great theological seminary. The will was 
overthrown. Governor Bellingham was 
very much of a man, which his son was 
not, and his son, after his wife died, fell 
into the hands of a widow who secured 
his property, and it came into the posses- 
sion of the Watts familv." 



The U. S. Government Grounds. 



There is much that is interesting in 




VIEW OF CLARK AVENUE. 



many years the residents of Winnisim- 
met attended services there. 

Judge Chamberlain said on the oc- 
casion before mentioned, that the first 
allotment of land made by the town of 
Boston, in 1638, includes that on which 
the Prattville school house was built, the 
grant being to the distinguished governor 
of Massachusetts, Sir Harry Vane. That 
section was then known as the Vane farm. , 

" Chelsea, this very VVinnisimmet, was 
the subject of one of the longest series of 
suits in the world," said Judge Chamber- 
lain in an address on Chelsea. "They 
grew out of the will of Governor Belling- 



connection with the United States govern- 
ment grounds occupied by the Naval and 
the Marine hospitals. Judge Chamber- 
lain once said of the government grounds : 
" This spot was chosen by the first comers 
for its elements of beauty. And these it 
still retains, though when the early settlers 
looked across from where the Naval hos- 
pital now stands they saw Morton's Point, 
which rose 35 feet: then to Eagle Hill, 
in East Boston, then 125 feet high; 
farther south, the Tri-Mountain, the three 
hills of Boston ; farther south, Dorchester 
Heights ; then around to the north, Sag- 
amore Hill, now Mt. Washington — and 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



which I wish was still Sagamore Hill, as 
it was the house of the Sagamores — and 
Powderhorn Hill." 

"This position was the best opportun- 
ity afforded our ancestors of witnessing 
the great battle of Bunker Hill. This 
position was occupied by the left wing of 
Washington's army when he took com- 
mand in July, 1775." These grounds 
were the site of the landing of the first 
ferry, established May 18, 1631, and the 
terminus of the first county road in the 
colony, beginning at Salem. On May 27, 
1775, a con- 
flict occurred 
in Chelsea 
creek be- 
tween the 
Provincials 
and the Brit- 
ish troops, 
in w h i c h 
the armed 
schooner 
Diana was 
abandoned 
by the latter, 
and drifting 
to this shore, 
was disman- 
tled an d 
burned. The 
United States 
government 
pu re has ed 
these 
grounds Sep- 
tember 22, 
1823. 

In the aut- 
umn of 1N06, a movement was begun 
through The Chelsea Gazette to secure 
the removal of the high brick wall which 
hid the view of the beautiful hill from 
Broadway. It was at once taken up by 
Congressman William B. Barrett, and 
inside of twelve months the wall had been 
removed by order of Congress, which 
made an appropriation of S6000 for the 
work and for the substitution of a light 
iron fence. This has added much to the 
attractiveness of this important entrance 
to Chelsea. A I iblet setting forth the 
historical facts relating to the grounds, 



was procured by popular subscription and 
inserted in the fence. 



Powderhorn Hill. 




CITY HALL. 



The name of Powderhorn Hill has been 
the subject of much discussion, and its 
origin is not definitely known. ( >ne of 
the traditions is that it was once sold for 
a horn of powder, but this cannot be 
traced to an authentic source. Another 
theory is that its shape was considered as 
resembling a powder horn. The first 

mention of 
Powderhorn 
Hill in the 
Colonial rec- 
ords was on 
November 7, 
1632, when 
it was order- 
ed that " the 
necke of land 
betwixte 
Powderhorn 
Hill and Pul- 
len Poynte 
shall belonge 
to Boston, to 
be enj oyed 
by the inhab- 
itants thereof 
forever." 
The hill, 
however, i s 
to be enjoyed 
by the inhab- 
i t a n t s of 
Chelsea, 
more partic- 
ularly forever, all the top of it, excepting 
the grounds of the Soldiers' Home, and 
excepting that occupied by the reservoir, 
and already the property of the munici- 
pality, having been bought by the city 
for a public park. " It was from this 
point," says Judge Chamberlain, "that 
our people telegraphed to the people of 
Roxbury and Cambridge the news of any 
movements of the British army in Boston. 
During the siege of Boston in 1775 and 
1 770. three companies of troops had their 
winter quarters in Chelsea ; some were 
quartered in the houses on the hospital 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



i r 




FIRE DEPARTMENT ENGINE 1 




fill 




FIRE DEPARTMENT ENGINE 2. 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 




FIRE DEPARTMENT ENGINE 3. 



grounds, other's in the Cary-Bellingham These did not afford room enough and 
house, and others in the Carter house, barracks were built on what is now 
where Mr. Slade's house stands now. Washington Park." 




CITY ARMORY, SECOND AND CHESTNUT STS . 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



1 3 



Chelsea City Officers. 



The following are the names of the 
mayors of the City of Chelsea since its 
incorporation, and the years in which 
they served: Francis B. Fay, 1S57 ; 
Hosea Illsley, 1858-59-60; Frank B. 
Fay, 1S61-62-63 ; Eustice C. Fitz, 1864- 
65-66; Rufus S. Frost, 1867-68; James 
B. Forsyth, 1869-70 ; John W. Fletcher, 
1871-72 ; Charles H. Ferson, 1S73-74- 
75 ; Thomas Green 1876 ; Isaac Steb- 
bins, 1S77-7S ; Andrew J. Bacon, 1879- 
80 ; Samuel P. Tenney, 1881-82 ; Thomas 
Strahan, 1883-84 ; Eugene F. Endicott, 
1885-86; George E. Mitchell, 1887-88; 



taxes, Thomas B. Frost ; city auditor, 
Kimball Esterbrook ; city solicitor, George 
M. Stearns ; city engineer and superin- 
tendent of streets, Alfred L. Maggi ; city 
messenger, Colman Tilden, Jr. ; clerk of 
committees, Louis L. G. de Rochmont ; 
park commissioners, Alfred W. Brown, 
George H. Buck, Joseph R. Carr, John 
G. Low, J. K. Montgomery ; chief of 
police, William P. Drury ; chief of fire 
department, H. Allen Spencer ; superin- 
tendent of public buildings and inspector 
of buildings, Walter Batchelder ; in- 
spector of milk and sealer of weights and 
measures, George W. Marsh ; board of 
assessors, Noah Blanchard, Ivory R. 




WINNISIMMET PARKWAY. 



Arthur B. Champlin, 1889-90; Albert 
D. Bosson, 1 89 1 ; Alfred C. Converse, 
1 89 2-93 ; George H. Carter, 1S94-95 ; 
John C. Loud, 1896 ; Herman W. Pratt, 
1897 ; Seth J. Littlefield, 1S9S. 

The present city government consists 
of the following : Mayor, Seth J. Little- 
field ; board of aldermen, George T 
Roberts, president, William S. Hixon, 
John Duncan, Daniel W. Gould, James G. 
Webber, Charles J. McDonough, John E. 
Beck, Joseph H. Gill, Dennis A. O'Brien, 
Gorham H. Tilton, Horatio R. Delano, 
John Soley, Herbert A. Norton, William 
Martin and George E. Mitchell. The 
city officers are : city clerk, George B. 
Gurney ; city treasurer and collector of 



Allen, Wm. M. Jewett ; overseers of the 
poor, John C. Loud, Frank B. Fay, 
George T. Roberts, and Otis Merriam, 
secretary ; water commissioners, Samuel 
P. Tenney, George E. Mitchell, John H. 
Crandon, and Caleb Lombard, clerk; 
commissioners of the sinking fund, C. A. 
Merriam. A. A. Fickett, George W. Moses, 
and H. B. Hersey, treasurer ; trustees of 
the Fitz Public library, Wm. Robinson, 
C. A. Campbell, Simeon Butterfield, Alton 
E. Briggs, Wm. E. Gilman, E. F. Endi- 
cott, and Medora J. Simpson, librarian; 
trustees of the soldiers' burial lot, Ivory 
R. Allen, Wm. A. Prescott, Joseph W. 
Thayer ; registrars of voters, E. Walter 
Everett, J. Henry Taylor, Alden G. Allen 



14 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



and George B. Gurney 
J. \\. Stickney, A. M. 
Sibley, city physician. 



board of health, 
Rice, and H. A. 



\s \ PLACE OF RESIDENCE. 

Let no one think that Chelsea has not 
attractions and advantages to offer. Its 
extreme length is 2.36 miles, and its ex- 
treme width 1.36 miles. It contains 
1 44 1 acres. Its attractions are increas- 
ing every year, now more rapidly than 
ever before. When the subway and the 
new bridge from Charlestown are opened, 
we shall be only fifteen minutes from 
Scollay square, Boston, by electric cars, 
as well as only eleven minutes from the 



fairly singed by the heat, we are enjoying 
the refreshing breeze from the seas. 
Chelsea is a healthy city. It is well 
lighted, has good streets, the Metropoli- 
tan water supply and the Metropolitan 
sewer system. There is opportunity for 
hundreds more houses on the slopes of 
Powderhorn Hill, Mt. Washington and 
Mt. Bellingham, all of which are easily 
accessible, and from which the most 
magnificent views in this vicinity are to 
be had. One has not far to go in any 
direction, to get into beautiful fields or 
woods. It is probable that within a year 
or two, we shall have a State boulevard 
through the beautiful Snake River valley, 




FROST H< 

northern Union station by train, and the 
same from Hanover street by ferry. That 
will be worth much to Chelsea. Being 
within twenty minutes ride of the State 
reservation at Revere beach, the finest 
public pleasure resort in the country, is a 
thing of no small value. Chelsea people 
have a grand pleasure park always at hand 
in the summer season, and if they cannot 
get into the country for an extended stay, 
they can have daily access, if they choose. 
to this magnificent stretch of seashore. 
Indeed there are few if any cities in the 
country, in which a summer can be spent 
as comfortably as in Chelsea. Many days 
when residents of inland cities are being 



opening up a new and delightful route to 
the Revere Beach reservation, the Lynn 
woods, the Middlesex Fells and other 
portions of the great park system. 

WATER SUPPLY. 

Chelsea is fortunate in being supplied 
with water through the Metropolitan sys- 
tem. The pumping station in this city is 
located in the water department building 
shown in the following page. The 
present board of water commissioners is 
composed of Hon. Samuel P. Tenney. 
chairman. Hon. decree K. Mitchell, and 
Ex-Alderman John II. Crandon. The 
board is unusually progressive. 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



*5 




i6 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 




CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



17 



Public Property. 



The buildings owned by the city are, 
this year, under the charge of the follow- 
ing members of the board of aldermen, 
who comprise the committee on public 
property : Messrs. Tilton, Martin and 
Norton. Through their courtesy several 
cuts of city buildings are presented in the 
pages of this work. That the above 
named are in touch with the spirit of the 
times is well known, while all have inter- 
ests in the city in which they reside. The 
construction of the new police courts 
building in Winnisimmet parkway, which 



under the care of the committee on high- 
ways, consisting of Messrs. O'Brien, Hixon, 
Soley, Delano and McDonough of the 
board of aldermen. All horses, teams, road 
rollers, watering carts, drays and appliances 
are kept at the city stables on Fifth street, 
and are kept constantly busy in repairing 
the public streets. Appended illustra- 
tions of the city stables and several streets 
show that the city government makes the 
most of the money appropriated for 
keeping the streets in good condition. 
Washington avenue, one of the principal 
thoroughfares leading from Broadway to 
Prattville, a fast growing residence sec- 







ORIGINAL TABLET COMMEMORATING INTRODUCTION OF WATER WORKS IN CHELSEA. 



when completed will comprise the hand- 
somest building in the city, and that of 
the Prattville schoolhouse, a building of 
modern architecture, is being admirably 
carried out under their direction. 



Street Improvement. 

That the public streets of Chelsea are 
well kept is a matter of local pride and 
comfort. Recent improvements along 
this line have brought the condition of the 
streets to their present state of excel- 
lence, while plans are now laid and pro- 
vision made for still further improving them. 
The work of the city in this direction is 



tion, is one of the finest residence streets 
in the city. From Gary square to the 
railroad bridge on this avenue, the street 
is paved with a particularly durable brick. 
This, with the upper section, which com- 
prises a finely macadamized roadway, 
makes a pleasant relief from the paved 
main thoroughfare of Broadway. On this 
avenue reside many of the leading families 
of Chelsea. While Washington avenue 
has been properly improved, Crescent 
avenue, one of the longer streets leading 
towards Revere has also been favored, 
together with Cary avenue which runs 
into it. This avenue is unusually wide 
and one where much building has been 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 




CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



19 



done in the past two years. The roadbed 
there is of macadam and the avenue a 
popular one, since improved, for bicyclists 
and leads to Revere beach. In the more 
thickly populated Second street the above 
committee have done good work univer- 
sally appreciated. This is of recent date 
and is also macadamized. In the late 



the Boston & Maine railroad, whose 
tracks cross the avenue. In improving this 
avenue manufacturers are duly encouraged. 



Other Facts About the City. 

Chelsea was a part of Boston until 
: 739> "hen it was incorporated as a 




LATE COL. F. B. FAY, FIRST MAYOR OF CHELSEA. 



improvement on Everett avenue, leading 
from Broadway to the city of Everett, the 
city government has shown an interest in 
the development of the populace. This 
avenue, in addition to the factories 
already built and operated there, pos- 
sesses abundant land suitable for the 
erection of factory structures with excel- 
lent rail facilities immediately at hand in 



separate town, which included the present 
Chelsea, Revere and Winthrop. In 1841 
the so-called Panhandle was set off 
to Saugus, and in 1846 North Chelsea 
was set off, comprising the present towns 
of Revere and Winthrop. In 1857, 
Chelsea became an incorporated city. 
Its territory covers 1,441 acres, has some- 
thing over 5,000 houses and about 50 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 




WASHINGTON AVENUE. 



miles of streets. The city government 
had up to 1894 been vested in a mayor 
and city council consisting of a board of 
aldermen and a common council. In 
that year a new city charter was adopted 
by the people and this abolished the 



common council and increased the num- 
ber of aldermen from eight to fifteen. 
The new charter came into effect in 1895. 

THE CITY'S GROWTH. 

Chelsea's growth is indicated by the 




SPENCER AVENUE. 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 




SECOND STREET. 



following figures : The United States 
census of 1880 shows the population of 
the city to be 21,785 ; the state census of 
1885, 25,709 ; the United States census 
of 1890, 27,909, and the state census of 
1895, 31,295. These are the latest offi- 
cial census figures. The estimate of the 



population of the city by the state 
board of health for the week ending 
April 16, 1898, was 32,716. 



Educational Advantages. 

The public schools of the city of Chel- 




EVERETT AVENUE. 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



-~— 




CITY STABLES. 



sea have long taken the most advanced 
rank. They have been the pride of citi- 
zens of all classes, and appropriations on 
behalf of the city government and general 
support in every direction have been 
generous. With the completion of the 
new Prattville building, of which an illus- 
tration is given herewith, and which shows 
it to be one of the handsomest structures 



in Chelsea, the various grades will have 
been well provided for in the way of 
accomodations. The capacity of the 
schools is now estimated at about 5,300 
pupils. The number of those completing 
the entire public school course and gradu- 
ating from the high school is unusually 
large. The proximity of the city of 
Boston has ever been a stimulus, despite 




CHEMICAL 1 AND HOOK AND LADDER 1 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



2 3 



the seeming 
drawbacks which 
might present 
themselves to 
those in charge 
because of that 
very fact. Teach- 
ers have always 
been selected 
with the most 
exacting care and 
the question of 
political influence 
in the choosing 
is an unknown 
f a c t o r . In no 
city in the state, 
perhaps, has this 
evil been so thor- 
oughly eradicated 
as here. The 
teaching force in- 
cludes instructors 
of ability and ex- 
perience and in 
past years many 
have been called 
to other places, 
including a large 
number to the 
schools of Boston. 
Th e build ings 
represent an ex- 




penditure of over 
three quarters of 
a million dollars 
and the annual 
appropriation for 
the school depart- 
ment is in the 
vicinity of $1 20,- 
000. The school 
committee, to 
which is entrusted 
the general over- 
sight of the edu- 
cational facilities, 
consists of three 
members from 
each of the five 
wards of the city 
and the mayor is 
an ex-officio 
member. The 
length of the term 
is three years. A 
chairman and 
vice-chairman are 
chosen from 
among the mem- 
bers and a dele- 
gate is also sent 
to sessions of the 
board of alder- 
men to represent 
t h e department 



R. S. FROST HOSE 1 




COMBINATION HOSE 4. 



24 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



when school matters are under considera- 
tion. At this writing, the board is made 
up as follows : Hon. Seth J. Littlefield, 
mayor, ex-officio ; ward one — Francis W. 
Bakeman, Abram T. Collier, Byron T. 
Thayer; ward two — Minnie I.. Fenwick, 
Franklin O. Barnes, Emeline A. Gilman : 
ward three — William N. Jewell (delegate 
to board of aldermen), R. Perry Bush, 
Amorette I.. Winslow; ward four — Ed- 
ward S. Johnson, Fannie P. Endicott, 
George PI. Dunham (vice-chairman) : 



Williams, Walnut street ; Carter, Forsyth 
street. The Highland school, at the cor- 
ner of Cottage and Highland streets, has 
both primary and grammar grades. There 
are seven primary schools, one of which, 
the Cary school, at the corner of Second 
and Walnut streets, has a teaching force 
of thirteen. As pupil teachers, young 
ladies are being constantly trained for 
openings in the regular faculty. Includ- 
ing these pupil teachers, a supervisor of 
music and two supervisors of drawing, the 




CHELSEA HIGH SCHOOL. 



ward five — Edward H. Lowell, Eugene 
F. Endicott (chairman), Henry Mitchell ; 
clerk, Mattie O. Carter. The rooms of 
the committee and superintendent are at 
3 Third street, in the post office building, 
and are open from 8 a. m. to 12.30 p. m. 
and from 2 to 4 p. M. ; on Saturdays from 
8 to 9 a. m. The regular meeting nights 
of the board are on the first Monday of 
each month. The high school building is 
on Bellingham street. The grammar 
schools are the ShurtlefT, Essex street ; 



teaching staff numbers 126. An extended 
sketch of Superintendent Walter H. Small 
appears elsewhere. The first public 
school opened in the city was the old 
Brown school, at the corner of Maverick 
and Shurtleff streets, and of this school 
many pleasant memories have been re- 
tained by former pupils when grown to 
mature age and become active in the 
more serious affairs of life. The first 
high school was on Winnisimmet square, 
where is now a business block. The 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



2 5 




NEW PRATTVILLE SCHOOL. 

WILSON 4 WEBBER, ARCHITECTS. 



generous appropria- 
tion annually pro- 
vided is expended 
with a view to getting 
the fullest value for 
every dollar, but, 
withal, economy is 
tempered with a 
proper foresight for 
the future as well as 
the immediate day. 
From the last report 
of Superinte ndent 
Small, much valuable 
information can be 
gleaned as to the 
needs and conditions 
of the department. 
Mr. Small succinctly 
states the reasons why 
the executive head 
of the school system 
should maintain the 
strictest oversight of 
office and school ad- 
ministration. While 
he should not attempt 




CARTER SCHOOL. 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 




HIGHLAND SCHOOL. 

WILSON & WEBBER. ARCHITECTS. 




WILLIAMS SCHOOL. 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



27 




SHURTLEFF SCHOOL. 



to do such detailed work as the prepar- 
ing of statistical tables, he should devise 
all systems and insist on the 
order. The telephone could 
be used to good advantage 
in school work, as in busi- 
ness generally, and school 
buildings should be so con- 
nected with the superinten- 
dent's office. The matter of 
apparent crowding of build- 
ings is considered and sug- 
gestions made as to a 
remedy, such as providing a 
place for preliminary in- 
struction for those who enter 
school without sufficient 
knowledge of the language 
to comprehend the drift of 
the work in the grade to 
which they properly may be 
assigned. A deserved 
tribute is paid to the entire 
teaching force. In the mat- 
ter of course of study, phy- 
sical culture, sewing and 
Sloyd are given a recom- 
mendation and their intro- 
duction will doubtless soon 



be consummated. Attendance figures 
are presented which make an excellent 




CARY SCHOOL. 



2S 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



showing. Such, in brief, are the salient 
features of the school system. It may be 
said that no city of its size is better pro- 
vided for in this way than is Chelsea, and 
to the young every incentive is offered 
for the acquirement of a practical educa- 
tion for the duties of life. To families in 
which there are children of school age, 
this city is made a most desirable place 
of residence. 



Walter H. 
Small. 



of the course of study. From 1S93 to 
his election to a similar position by the 
school board of this city, he was superin- 
tendent of schools in Palmer, where he 
made a most notable administration in 
behalf of the fine educational system for 
which that Connecticut valley town is 
noted. Mr. Small began his work in this 
city in the fall of 1897. 



Alton Elliot 
Briggs. 




Mr. Small 
has had the 
oversight of 
the city 
schools for 
but compar- 
a t i v e 1 y a 
short time, 
but he is a 
thoroughly 
competent 
educator, 
bringing to 
his impor- 
tant and re- 
spons i ble 
position, ripe 
scholarship 
and a fine 
record as a 
successful in- 
structor i n 
other places. 
He was born 
in Province- 
town, M;iss., 
April 2 1 , 
1 8 5 6 , and 
gradua t ed 

from Dartmouth college with the class of 
'78, teaching ungraded and boys' schools 
for four terms before and during his col- 
lege course. Immediately after his grad- 
uation, he taught for some time in the 
grammar and high schools in Medfield, 
and from 1879 to 1893 was in charge of 
the Hudson high school, in which town 
he performed much of the labor which 
would naturally fall to the part of a super- 
intendent of schools, including the making 



WALTER H. SMALL, 



4DENT CHELSE 



Alton El- 
liot Priggs, 
principal of 
the Chelsea 
high school, 
whose ability 
as an edu- 
cator has 
brought t o 
him early 
honors, was 
born in Mid- 
d 1 e b o r o , 
Mass., April 
3, 1864. He 
is of old New 
England 
stock, and on 
the maternal 
side is a lin- 
eal descend- 
ant of Elder 
Prewster, of 
May tlo we r 
fame. He 
fitted for col- 
lege at the 
high school 
of his native 
town, from 
which he graduated in 1881. Principal 
Briggs then entered Dartmouth college, 
where he won honors in mathematics, 
languages and sciences, graduating 
from there in 1885. That same 
year he assumed the charge of a dis- 
trict school at Somerset as instruc- 
tor. After one week, he was accorded 
the mastership of the grammar school 
of the same town. Later, he was 
called to the principalship of the high 



SCHOOLS 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



20 



school at Hollis. While instructing there 
he was specially elected teacher in com- 
position at the Lynn high school, which 
position he filled for one year. The fol- 
lowing year he served as principal of the 
high school at Nahant. In 1888, he was 
elected and became sub-master in the 
Chelsea high school, and in February, 
1 89 1, he was chosen principal to fill the 
vacancy caused by the resignation of 
John E.Clark. 
Although a 
a young man, 
Mr. Briggs 
ranks high as 
an educator, 
and his abili- 
ty as an in- 
structor is 
shown by the 
achievements 
of the gradu- 
ating classes 
in the past 
seven years, 
which have 
given the 
Chelsea high 
school a 
standing 
among the 
first in the 
state. Where 
such privi- 
leges are ac- 
corded by 
colleges, dip- 
lomas from 
this school 
admit pupils 
without fur- 
ther examin- 
ation. Mr. 
Briggs has 

added to the excellent method of instruc- 
tion to be availed of by pupils of the high 
school, by his complete development of 
the departmental system. Outside of his 
school life, and he is a profound student 
of the progress of his many pupils, he is 
interested in all matters pertaining to the 
health and good order of his adopted 
city. In the recent formation of the 
municipal league he took an important 



part. ( )n the no-license committee, he 
has also been an influential worker. He 
is a member of the Star of Bethlehem 
lodge, F. <x: A. M., an attendant of the 
Central Congregational church, and a con- 
tributing member of the Y. M. C. A. 
Principal Briggs is highly esteemed as a 
resident of Chelsea as well as held in high 
regard by his corps of excellent assistants 
and large number of pupils under his charge. 



Chelsea 
Fire Dept. 




Photo by Purdy. 



ALTON ELLIOT BRIGGS, 



MCIPAL CHELSt 



This city is 
fortunate in 
the posses- 
sion of an 
efficient paid 
fire depart- 
ment. Illus- 
trations of 
t h e several 
houses where 
apparatuses 
are continu- 
ously on the 
qui vive for 
the sounding 
of alarms, are 
shown o n 
previous 
pages. T h e 
department 
is ably head- 
ed by H. A. 
Spencer, the 
chief engi- 
neer, and for 
the last ten 
years the ag- 
gregate loss 

l H.GH SCHOOL. j-jy COn fl a g ra . 

tion in any 
one year has not exceeded $50,000. The 
department is under the direct charge of 
certain members of the board of alder- 
men, known as the fire committee, com- 
posed of the following : Messrs. Soley, 
Hixon, Webber, Norton and McDonough. 
Through the courtesy of these gentlemen 
it is enabled to picture the department 
in these pages. The committee fully 
provide for the needs of the department. 



3° 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



Chelsea Board of Trade. 



ORGANIZATION. 

President, C.eorge H. Carter. 

i si Vice-President, Chas. A. Campbell. 

2nd Vice-President, John H. Crandon. 

Secretary, Alfred W. Brown. 

Treasurer, George B. Guild. 

DIRECTORS. 

Hermon W. Pratt, James Gould, 

Jabez K. Montgomery, James Walker, 
Joseph R. Carr. Alfred Hopkins. 

Marcus M. Merritt. 




EXECUTIVE OFFICERS CHELSEA BOARD OF TRADE 



REl .ll.AR MEETINGS. 
Second Monday in each month, <S p.m. 

OFFICE AND ROOMS. 

Basement first National Hank Building, 

Broadway. 

PAST PRESIDENTS. 

Thomas Martin, Ex-Mayors Thomas 
Strahan and Samuel P. Tenney. 



The prominent part which trade organ 
i/.ations take in the process of universal 



enlightenment was never more fully made 
evident than in the present age, by the 
effect they have upon the development of 
this country in sustaining its diversified 
industries. They study and work out the 
problems which sharp and educated com- 
petition presents, plan and legislate for a 
world-wide commerce. This is an age 
when old ways and means do not obtain, 
an age in which the finished work of today 
becomes the unfinished work of tomorrow, 
and it is only by persistent work and 
application that permanent results are 
achieved, which 
keep us in line 
anil up-to-date 
with an advancing 
civilization. Or- 
ganization for any 
and all purposes, 
having definite re- 
sults in view, is 
absolutely indis- 
pensable. 

T h e Chelsea 
Board of Trade 
was organized 
nearly four years 
ago in response to 
the earnest ap- 
peals of a few of 
the prominent, 
enterprising and 
public -spirited 
business men of 
the city, who fully 
realized the im- 
portance of or- 
ganized effort as 
an essential re- 
<1 u i s i t e to the 
growth, develop- 
ment and consequent prosperity of the 
municipality. To bring the matter prac- 
tically before the people for deliberation 
and action, a public meeting was held in 
the Academy of Music, a large audience 
present. Ex-Alderman John H. Crandon 
delivered an address upon the subject, 
''Industrial Art as a Means to Growth 
and Development," setting forth the great 
practical value of trade organizations as a 
means to facilitate business and stimulate 
capital seeking investment to investigate 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



3 1 



the many natural advantages Chelsea 
possesses to prosecute manufacturing in- 
dustries, after which several gentlemen 
addressed the meeting and the prelimi- 
nary steps were taken, by the appointment 
of committees to canvass for names and 
otherwise forward the movement. At the 
first meeting of the subscribers there were 
forty present who proceeded to formulate 
plans and devise ways and means to effect 
an organization. In less than three 
months the membership had increased to 



Good substantial work has been done 
by the board in many matters where its 
good offices have been called into requi- 
sition, and it has become, not only one of 
the permanent institutions of the city, but 
a potent factor, through its various work- 
ing committees, in shaping municipal and 
state legislation looking to the general 
welfare of the city. Extensive corre- 
spondence has been opened with parties 
in different sections of the country 
prospecting for locations and representing 




DIRECTORS CHELSEA BOARD OF TRADE. 



more than eighty, and at the present time 
there are over one hundred and twenty- 
five enrolled on the books. The board 
meets the second Monday evening in each 
month and the directors the fourth Mon- 
day. The office and rooms of the board 
are centrally and conveniently located in 
the basement of the First National Bank 
building on Broadway, fitted and furnished - 
with necessary appurtenances for the trans- 
action of business, and are open daily for 
the accommodation of members. 



a great diversity of interests, some of 
which has fructified, and as a result sev- 
eral new manufacturing plants have been 
established within city limits. 

The geographical position of Chelsea, 
its close proximity to the great distribu- 
ting point of Boston, the large area of 
water front, unsurpassed railroad and 
water transportation facilities, vacant but 
cheap available land for factories, mills 
and workshops of every description, 
makes the location particularly desirable. 



3 2 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



Few people, comparatively, are aware 
to what extent manufacturing business is 
carried on in Chelsea, or what part of the 
grand total of New England products she 
furnishes to supply the demand from this 
section of the country. In 1880 there 
were 151 manufacturing interests located 
and represented in Chelsea ; in 1 890 
there had been an increase to 347 : and 
in 1894,434. Capital invested in 1880, 
82,008,150; in 1890, 88,077,324 ; 1894, 
810,841,900; number of employees in 
1SS0, 1,630; in 1890, 3,470; in 1894, 
4>53° > wages per annum in 1880, $675,- 
47S : in 1890, $1,884,002 ; in 1894, 
82,488,264; cost of material in 1880, 
82,274,694; in 1890, $4,681,291; in 
1894, 85,884,590; value of product in 



abounds in a great variety of societies, 
financial and charitable institutions, 
churches, schools, fire department, police, 
water supply, a new and comprehensive 
system of parks under an efficient com- 
mission, which has inaugurated vigorous 
work with results already apparent in the 
attractive " Winnisimmet Parkway " in 
Broadway Square, an abundance of desir- 
able and available land in all sections of 
the city, suitable for building purposes, a 
gradually decreasing tax-rate, fine public 
library, general hospital, old ladies' home, 
day nursery, soldiers' home, etc., all of 
which have proved potent factors to 
make Chelsea a comparatively completed 
city in those essentials which make for 
healthy growth, permanent and substan- 




EX-PRESIDENTS CHELSEA BOARD OF TRADE. 



1880, 83,469,616 ; in 1890, 88,158,207 ; 
in 1S94, 810,502,500 ; with a proportion- 
ate increase in the intervening years to 
1897. 

The Chelsea Board of Trade is open 
for business, and tenders its services and 
influence to those both at home and 
abroad who contemplate the establish- 
ment of new business enterprises, or the 
removal of old ones to more available 
locations, and most respectfully and cor- 
dially invites careful investigation of the 
merits and special adaptation of this 
bustling, pretty, up-to-date, enterprising 
city, so favorably and pleasantly situated 
near the great metropolis of Boston. 
"With modern and improved facilities for 
prosecuting business of all kinds, the city 



tial development. In conjunction with 
all these requisite auxiliaries to a flour- 
ishing and attractive city, the people of 
Chelsea, upon whom, in the last analysis 
much depends to utilize these natural 
and acquired advantages, are thoroughly- 
metropolitan in their tastes and tenden- 
cies, fully imbued with that spirit of 
progress and liberality which serves to 
keep them abreast of the times, and can 
be safely entrusted with any charge com- 
mitted to their care to secure that meas- 
ure of success which inevitably follows 
laudable purpose and persistent effort. 

Local manufacturers and business men are earnestly 
invited t<> forward their applications for membership in the 
Board of Trade. 

Manufacturers seeking a location are respectfully in- 
vited to communicate with the Secretary of the Board. 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 
Chelsea's Benevolences* 



33 



"Chelsea has never been rich in gold, 
but she has always been rich in man- 
hood," said the Rev. Dr. C. E. Jefferson 
in a recent oration. " Generosity is 
indigenous to our soil. Samuel Maver- 
ick, the first Englishman who ever built 
a house in Chelsea, when John Sagamore 
and his people were stricken down with 
smallpox, went in the midst of winter, in 
company with his wife and servants, to 
the afflicted savages, tenderly caring for 
them, burying thirty of them in a single 
day and carrying the little children who 
had been left without father or mother 
to his home. The mantle of that great- 
hearted Englishman has fallen on the 
shoulders of our city. We still take care 
of the sick in our Frost hospital and 
shelter the children in our Day nursery. 

Richard Bellingham, for thirteen years 
deputy governor of Massachusetts and ten 
years its governor, was once the owner of 
all Chelsea. His name still clings to one 
of our highest hills and to one of our most 
beautiful streets. At his death he left all 
the territory on which our city stands to 
the church. The very earth on which we 
walk speaks to us of great-hearted men 
and beautiful and generous deeds." 

On each of the four beautiful hills of 
Chelsea are substantial evidences of the 
benevolent spirit which pervades the city. 
On Government hill are the United States 
Marine and the United States Naval hos- 



is'a part of the allotment by the town o. 

sip happy vane in 1 6 38- governor of ma ssachusett- 

IN !636. THIS BUILDING FACES THF ^IPST COUNTY ROAD IN 



THE MASSACHUSETTS BAY COLON 
THE PRATT HOMESTEAD IN WHICH- 
ENTERTAINED IN 17 7 5. THIS LOC 
THE LEFT WINC OF THE AMERICA 



HISTORICAL TABLET ON PRATTVILLE SCHOOLHOUSE. 



IS SITE, IN .1625 

SAMUEL MAVERICK 

"FORTIFIED THE ANTIENTIST HOUSE 

IN THE 

MASSACHUSETTS COVEPNMENT." 

THE FIRST FERRY IN THE COLONY WAS* 

ESTABLISHED HERE MAY 18,1631 THE LANDING 

BEING NEAP THE PIER. ON THESE GROUNDS WaS 

THE TERMINUS OF THE FIRST COUNTY POAD IN 

THE COLONY, BECINNINC AT SALEM. 
ON THE 27 TH OF MAY 1775, A CONFLICT OCCURRED 
IN CHELSEA CREEK BETWEEN THE PROVINCIALS 
AND THE BRITISH TROOPS IN WHICH THE ARMED 
SCHOONER DIANA WAS ABANDONED BY THE LATTER, 
AND DRIFTING TO THIS SHORE WAS DISMANTLED AND 
BURNED. FROM TWESE HEIGHTS THE PEOPLE OF 
THE SURPOUNDINC COUNTRY WITNESSED THE 

BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL, JUNE 17, 1775. 
APART OF THE LEFT WINC OF THE AMERICAN 
ARMY WAS STATIONED HERE DURINC THE SIECE OF 
BOSTON 1775-76.THE U.S.COVEPNMENT PURCHASED 
THIS PROPERTY IN 1823. CHELSEA BP1DCE WAS 
OPEAiFD TO PUBLIC TRAVEL SEPTEMBEP 22,1805. 



HISTORICAL TABLET NEAR CHELSEA BRIDGE. 

pitals. On the slopes of Mt. Bellingham 
are the Rufus S. Frost General hospital 
and the Chelsea Day nursery and Chil- 
dren's home. On Powderhorn hill is the 
magnificent Soldiers' Home of Massachu- 
setts, and on Mt. Washington is the Old 
Ladies' home. 

The two United States hospitals over- 
look Mystic river, and the grounds com- 
prise 125 acres. The naval hospital was 
erected in 1833, added to in 1S65, and 
has accommodations for 100 patients. 
Dr. Joseph G. Avers, U. S. N., is medical 
director. 

The ma- 
rine hospi- 
tal formerly 
occupie d 
what is now 
the Shurt- 
leff school. 
The present 
hospital 
build in g 
was first oc- 
cupied in 
1858, and 
is consid- 
ered the 
best in the 
Atlantic 
service. 



1USETTS BAY COLON Y. OPPOSITE HERE STOOL 
BESTEAD IN WHICH CI NEPAL WASHINGTON WAS 
IN 17 7 5. THIS LOCALITY WAS AN OUTPOST OF 
COF THE AMEP'<~ \Y DURINC THE SIEGE 

7,7 5-76, "EXTENSIVE BARRACKS OCCUPIED BY 
E-PPOVINCIALSVbEING NEAP HERF 



34 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



[ts capacity is 200 patients. It is 
under the control of the treasury de- 
partment. Any American sailor coming 
to the port is entitled to free treatment 
in it. Dr. H. YV. Austin is the surgeon 
in charge. 

The Frost hospital is the gift to the city 
of the late Hon. Rufus S. Frost, in whose 
memory it is named. It is located on 
Shawmut street, at the corner of Chester 
avenue. The land has an area of 14,000 
square feet. The cost of land and build- 
ings was about $27,000. It was opened 



in 1886, been well supported. It moved 
into its present building in 1S88. It has 
been a blessing to many hard-working 
mothers and children. 

The Soldiers' home was opened in 
1882. While a private institution, it is 
in part maintained by the state and 
national governments. It has accommo- 
dations for about 400 men. The original 
building was formerly the Highland hotel, 
and was bought for $20,000. Many ex- 
tensive additions have since been made 
in order to accommodate the constantlv 




SECTION OF UNION PARK. 



in 1890. The equipment of the hospital 
is excellent. The physicians of Chelsea 
give their services freely to the institu- ■ 
tion. Tin- deed of gift provides that 
"no human being shall ever be refused 
care and treatment because of race, or 
poverty, or religious belief," and any 
patient may employ male or female phy- 
sician whom they may desire. Miss 
Florence F. Rice is matron. 

The Day nursery and Children's home 
adjoins the Frost hospital on Shawmut 
street. It is maintained by voluntary 
contributions, and has since its foundation 



increasing number of faithful veterans dis- 
abled by war wounds, time and disease. 
Captain Sevyett Creorey is superintend- 
ent, and Mrs. Creorey is matron. 

The Old Ladies' home is on Nichols 
street, at the corner of F.ustis street, and 
fronts on Washington park. It was 
opened January 1, 1887. The nucleus 
of a fund for such a home was begun by 
the Ladies' Relief societv in 1S86, and 
through a number of bequests, notably 
one from Mrs. Sophia J. Knight, the 
societv wis enabled to buy the present 
home. The home is self-sustaining. It 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



35 



has accommodations for nine, and the 
home is always filled to the limit. 



Chelsea Post-Office. 



The post-office at Chelsea was estab- 
lished July 6, 1832, by Postmaster-General 
Amos Kendall. It became a station of 
the Boston post-office on July i, 1873, 
by order of Postmaster-General Jewell. 
The first postmaster was Horatio Alger, 
father of the famous story teller, who was 
born in Chelsea. The department always 



presidential post-office. Hadley P. Bur- 
rill next served from 1862 to 1869. He 
moved the post-office to Broadway near 
Everett avenue. In 1S69 the salary of 
the postmaster was $2,700, and the net 
earnings of the office $3,639.88. Clifton 
A. Blanchard was the last postmaster at 
Chelsea, but continued as superintendent 
of the station until his death in 1879. In 
1874 the office was moved to its present 
location, Broadway and Third street. 
The change of the Chelsea post-office to 
a station was strongly favored by Post- 











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SECTION OF WASHINGTON PARK. 



called the first postmaster Mr. Algier. 
The post-office was then at Fenno's cor- 
ner, North Chelsea. Mr. Alger served 
until March 31, 1842, when he was suc- 
ceeded by Abel Bowen, and the post- 
office removed to Winnisimmet street, 
and there remained until 1862. Benja- 
min Dodge served next, from 1844 to 
1850, when he was succeeded by Sarah 
A. (Mrs. Moses) Nowell, who remained 
in charge until 1854. Gideon W. Young 
was postmaster from 1854 until 1862, and 
it was in his day that Chelsea became a 



master William L. Burt of Boston, and 
has undoubtedly given to Chelsea a postal 
service, especially in free delivery, usually 
confined to large cities. Mr. Blanchard's 
successor was Mary A. Crowell (Mrs. Dr. 
William G. Wheeler), who was appointed 
October 17, 1879, by Postmaster Tobey, 
and remained in charge until 1887, when 
William H. Cate, Jr., succeeded, to be 
replaced, on November 1, 1889, by Ezra 
O. Winsor, the present superintendent, 
who was appointed by Postmaster Corse, 
and has the reputation of being among 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



the best superintendents in the service. 
Ezra Otis Winsor was born in the 
historic town of Duxbury, of Pilgrim 

stock, in 1850. lie is probably known 
to more citizens of Chelsea than any 
other man. Since 1885 he has been an 
active member of the Review club ; he is 
the senior local consul of the League of 
American Wheelmen and president of the 
local consulate of Boston and vicinity. 
He has been connected with the postal 
service since 1874 and has had as varied 
a post-office experience as any one in 
New England. In 1876 he was appointed 



at Washington, Mr. Winsor prepared a 
street scheme of the Boston postal district, 
which was published under the direction 
of General Corse, then postmaster of 
Boston, and is today the official authority 
on such matters. Mr. Winsor's experience 
has been given expression in a systematic 
and detailed record book, the value of 
which has been recognized by the postal 
officials. Postmaster Thomas of Boston, 
seeing in it an opportunity to unify the 
records of the Boston postal district, 
asked for its publication, which has been 
granted, and will go into effect July 1st, 




STEBBINS FOUNTAIN, WINNISIMMET PARKWAY. 



I clerk in the delivery department of 
the Boston post-office. In 1884 ne en_ 
tered the railway mail service where he 
g iin< ■ ' promo! ii »ns. In 1 888 he 

was tendered the superintendency of the 
new Back Hay station, Boston. He de- 
I himself to the work of fitting up 
that station and completing its organiza- 
tion. Such was his success in improving 
the service in that district that when the 
less men and citizens of Chelsea 
requested General Corse to re-organize 
the p ce at ( !helsea, he was selected, 

in 1 884, at the request of the department 



[898, under Mr. W'insor's personal super- 
vision. At present Mr. Winsor is the 
executive head of the National Associa- 
tion of Station superintendents : president 
of Station Superintendents Association of 
the Boston postal district ; secretary and 
urer of the Postmasters ^ss< » i ition 
of New England, and general grand 
treasurer of the American < >rder of Fra- 
ternal I [elpers. 

The Churches. 



Twelve religious sects and denomina- 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



37 



tions are represented in Chelsea by socie- 
ties and edifices. The denomination to 
first get a foothold within the present 
limits of the city was the Baptist, and now 
the denomination is represented by two 
societies. The First Baptist church was 
organized in 1836. It now occupies a 
handsome brick edifice opposite City 
hall, at the corner of Central avenue and 
Shurtleff street. Rev. F. W. Bateman, 
D. D., is pastor. In 1S59 a second Bap- 
tist church was organized, which took 
the name of the 
Gary Avenue 
Baptist church, 
the edifice be- 
ing located on 
the thorough- 
fa re of that 
name. Rev. C. 
C. Pierce is the 
pastor. 

The Unita- 
rians were the 
second denom- 
ination in Chel- 
sea, a church 
being started 
here in 1838. 
The society 
worships in its 
church on 
Hawthorn 
street, at the 
head of Fourth 
street. Rev. C. 
A . Place is 
pastor. 

The Metho- 
dists founded a 
church the 
following year, which is now known as 
the Walnut Street Methodist-Episcopal 
church, and in 1853 a second church, the 
Mt. Bellingham, was organized. The 
former church is on Walnut street, at the 
corner of Fourth, and Rev. C. A. Little- 
field is pastor. The Mt. Bellingham 
church is on Bellingham street, at the 
corner of Shurtleff street, and Rev. N. T. 
Whitaker, D. D., is pastor. 

St. Luke's Episcopal church is the fourth 
in age in Chelsea, dating its organization 
from 1 84 1. The church adjoins the City 




E. O. WINSOR, SUPT. POST-OFFICE. 



hall park on the south. Rev. Charles S. 
Hutchinson is pastor. 

The same year the Congregational ists, 
who now have three churches and a chapel 
in the city, established a church here. 
After ten years of rapid growth the mem- 
bership made a friendly division, the old 
society giving up the church edifice, but 
retaining the society organization and 
name, and is now the First Congregational 
church, whose edifice is on Chestnut 
street, between Third and Fourth streets. 
Rev. Ross C. 
Houghton, D. 
D . , is now 
pastor. The 
First c h u r c h 
also maintains 
the Chester 
avenue chapel, 
at the corner of 
Chester avenue 
and Highland 
street, w here 
services are 
regularly held 
Sunday after- 
noon and even- 
ing, and on 
Thursday even- 
ing. Rev. De 
Mont Good- 
year is the pas- 
tor. A n e w 
society was 
organized in 
the old church, 
w h i c h subse- 
quently adopt- 
ed the name of 
the Central 
Congregational church, and in 1872 
moved into the brick edifice on Chestnut 
street, at the corner of Fifth street. Its 
pastor is Rev. Robert A. MacFadden. 

The Third Congregational church was 
organized in 1S77, and has an edifice on 
Reynolds avenue, near Washington avenue. 
Rev. Samuel M. Cathcart is pastor. 

The Universalist church dates its organ- 
ization from 1842, and was the sixth de- 
nomination to enter Chelsea. The church 
is at the corner of Fourth and Chestnut 
streets. Rev. R. Perry Bush is pastor. 



*8 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



The Roman Catholics established a Mulligan, Rev. H. T. Grady, Rev. J. S. 
mission here in 1849, and this now is Sheerin, and Rev. T. A. Quinlan. In ad- 
ranked as the largest denomination in the dition to the church edifice, the Catholics 
city. The St. Rose church is in the have a large parochial school and a con- 




Photos by Sla If, 



A GROUP OF CHELSEA CHURCHES. 



geographical centre of the city, on Broad- 
way, near the railroad bridge. Rev. 
James McGlew is the permanent rector, 
and the assistants are Rev. Hugh |. 



vent conducted by the Sisters of Provi- 
dence. 

The next denomination to be planted 
in the city was the Advent Christian, in 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



39 




1 868, which now 
has an edifice on 
Heard street, op- 
posite the Chelsea 
station of the Bos- 
ton & Maine rail- 
road. Rev. G. F. 
Haines is pastor. 

The colore d 
people of the city 
formed the African 
Methodist- Episco- 
pal church in 1873, 
and built its present 
edifice on Fourth 
street, below Ar- 
lington street, in 
1890. Rev. W. H, 
Thomas is pastor. 

The Horace Me- 
morial Free Baptist 
church was organ- 
ized in 1877. The 
church edifice was 



A GROUP OF CHELSEA CHURCHES. 




MT. BELLINGHAM 



presented to 'the 
society by FMr. 
Thomas Martin as 
a memorial to his 
son Horace. The 
church is on Web- 
ster avenue, at the 
corner of Spencer 
avenue. Rev. J. M. 
Remick is pastor. 

The Evangelical 
church was organ- 
ized in 1896, and 
now worships in the 
hall, corner of 
Broadway and 
Hawthorn street. 
Miss M. E. Curry 
is the pastor. 

There is a Jewish 
synagogue in what 
was formerly Eagle 
hall, on Winnisim- 
met street. 



4 o 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



Rev. Ross. C. Houghton, 
D.D., Lit. D. 



The pastor of the First Congregational 
church is a native of New York, and was 
educated at Union college and Syracuse 
university, receiving his degree at the 
latter institution. He is also an alumnus 
of the Concord Biblical institute now the 
School of Theology of Boston university. 
Ordained in 
April, 1869, 
he has been 
past o r of 
promine n t 
churches i n 
Utica and 
Buffalo,N.Y. 3 
St. Louis, 
Mo., Cleve- 
land, Ohio, 
I ndianapo- 
lis, Bid., and 
Portland, 
Oregon. For 
some time he 
was p r e s i- 
dent of the 
M c Kendree 
college in 
Lebanon, 111. 
I nder c i r- 
cu instances 
especially 
favorable, 
to careful 
observation 
and study, in 
1873-4 he 
made a tour 
of the world, 
using the 
material thus 
secured in publishing 
Orient," " Ruth, the 
"John, the Baptist." 
books, of which he is the author, has had 
a remarkable sale, standing in that respect 
among the very first of its kind. The 
other two books have proved almost as 
popular. He has also published several 
others purely religious in character and 
for some years has been known as a pro- 
lific an 1 favorable writer for religious 




REV ROSS C. HOUGHTON, D.D., LIT. D 



" Women of the 

Moabitess," and 

The first of these 



magazines and newspapers. For several 
years Dr. Houghton devoted all the time 
he could spare from the duties of a large 
city pastorate to the lecture platform, and 
as a lecturer was heard and appreciated 
in nearly all the cities of N. V. and the 
western states, his subjects being based 
upon his travels and literary topics. He 
has also lectured frequently in university 
extension courses and various schools and 

colleges. As 
a lecturer, he 
ranks among 
the foremost 
of the day, 
and in this 
parti en bli- 
the press of 
the country 
bestows on 
h i m h i g h 
encomiums. 
He is a 
member o f 
the society 
of Biblical 
A rchaeol- 
ogy of Lon- 
d on and 
several other 
literary and 
historical 
associations. 
He was in- 
stall e d as 
pastor of the 
First C o n - 
gregat i onal 
church of 
this ci t y, 
April 17. 
1 S 9 5 . At 
that time, 
Rev. C. E. Jefferson, D.D., then pastor of 
the Central Congregational church, said of 
him : "We congratulate the First church 
on the good fortune of securing such a 
man. He carries sunlight into the homes 
where he visits and is a welcome speaker 
or guest wherever he goes. He had not 
been many weeks in our city before he 
had a large circle of acquaintances and 
friends, and from the first day of his 
coming until now, the church has been 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



41 



rejoicing and growing under his ministry." 
Dr. Houghton is an attractive writer and 
speaker, clear in thought, strong in argu- 
ment and incisive in expression. He 
possesses a happy combination of quali- 
ties, rare talent, ample learning, genial 
manners, large experience among man- 
kind, a ready tongue and pen, the ability 
to direct his whole faculties immediately 
to any required task and the power of 
enduring 
h a r d a n d 
continuous 
w o r k. His 
physical and 
mental vigor 
give promise 
of yet many 
years of use- 
fulness to the 
church a n d 
to the city. 



Rev. C A. 

Littlefield. 




The pastor 
of the Walnut 
stieet M. E. 
church of 
this city, 
Rev. Charles 
Alvin Little- 
field was 
born in 
Wells, York 
county, Me. 
He is a de- 
scendant of a 
long line of 
ancestry o f 
English ori- 
gin . The 

Littlefield family have lived at the old 
homestead for 25 S years in unbroken 
succession. The first of his ancestors to 
locate in this country was Sir Edmund, 
who was an intimate friend of John 
Wheelwright of Boston, the philanthropist 
and reformer. Tradition says that he 
was a schoolfellow of Oliver Cromwell. 
As private soldiers or officers of rank, 
representatives of the family have partici- 
pated in every war for the maintenance 



REV. C. A. LITTLEFIELD. 



of the colonies of the country of civil or 
religious liberty during the past 250 years. 
The subject of this sketch was educated 
in the public schools of his native town, 
prepared for college at the Maine Wes- 
leyan Seminary, Kent's hill, Me., and 
graduated from Wesleyan university, Mid- 
dletown, Ct., in 1884. Before he was 
twenty-one years of age he was elected 
superintendent of schools of his own 

town. After 
graduation 
from college 
he devoted 
two years to 
special study 
and reading 
along theo- 
logical, legal 
and socialog- 
ical lines. In 
1886, he 
united with 
New Eng- 
land Confer- 
ence of the 
Methodist- 
Episcopal 
church and 
was first 
stationed at 
C liftondale. 
During a suc- 
cessful pas- 
torate of 
three years, 
the member- 
ship of that 
church doub- 
led and its 
congregation 
and resourc- 
e s were 
largely increased. While there he took a 
leading part on the no-license question 
of the town, and backed by a committee 
of fifteen prominent citizens, wrought a 
change from a license to a no-license 
policy which, with the exception of one 
year, has since been maintained. From 
Cliftondale, he was called to the First 
Methodist-Episcopal church of Spring- 
field, where he served a pastorate of five 
years. During this pastorate 300 new 



42 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



members were added to the church, and 
the property reconstructed and enlarged 
at the expense of about $20,000. A new- 
church parsonage was also built, all of 

which was 1 lone with funds secured as a 
personal gift to him. His next call was 
to Watertown. During his two years of 
service there, a fine granite church struc- 
ture was elected, which from an architec- 
tural and artistic standpoint was said, at 
the time, to 
be the hand- 
somest Meth- 
odist church 
building east 
of Pittsburg. 
Before t h e 
close of his 
second year 
at Water- 
town, he was 
called to be- 
come corre- 
sponding sec- 
retary of the 
Boston Mis- 
sionary and 
C h u r c h 
Extension 
society, a so- 
ciety doing 
work at thir- 
teen different 
points a n d 
e mp loving 
twent y - two 
field workers. 
After t w o 
years of serv- 
ice in that 
important 
field, during 
which time 

the work was so unified and systematized 
as to give sure promise of its future main- 
tenance, he decided to re-enter the pas- 
torate, and in April. ['898, was appointed 
pastor of the Walnut street church of this 
city. Mr. Littlefield was one of the three 
men representing New England, who met 
at Cleveland in 1890, when the Epworth 
League, the flourishing young people's 
society of the Methodist chur< h, was or- 
ganized. He has the honor of being the 



official father of its name, and also framed 
the five propositions upon the basis of 
which the organization took place. In 
1 89 1 he was married to Jane Whipple of 
Maiden, Mass. Wherever he has been 
located he has shown an inclination to 
take a personal interest in all local move- 
ments tending to the public good and 
share, as he believes all should, in the 
conduct of municipal affairs. 

Rev. 
C. C. Pierce. 




REV. C. C. PIERCE. 



Rev. Charles 
Clark Pierce, 
t h e widely- 
esteemed 
pastor of the 
Cary avenue 
Baptist 
church, was 
born in Mer- 
edith, Dela- 
ware county, 
New York, 
1S5S. He 
was one of a 
large family 
of ten boys 
and one girl, 
all of whom 
are now liv- 
ing excepting 
his youngest 
brother, who, 
as a student 
for the minis- 
t r y a n d a 
young man 
of great 
promise, die 1 
but recently 
at Hamilton, 
X. V. The subject of this sketch obtained 
his early education in his native town and 
still further continued his studies in the 
N. Y. State Normal college at Albany. 
After graduating there, he taught school 
for five years in New Jersey and New 
York city. He then entered Colgate 
university at Hamilton, N.Y., from which 
he graduated in 1 888. During his attend- 
ance at college he took many prizes in 
competition with his fellow students, and 



:helsea illustrated 





REV. ROBERT A. MACFADDEN. 

during the senior year, was awarded the 
first prize for the senior historical thesis. 
He was also one of the editors of the 




»*#<*<**" •. 



REV. R. PERRY BUSH. 

college paper, and upon his graduation 
was elected a member of the Phi Beta 
Kappa society. He prepared for the 
ministry at Hamilton Theological semi- 
nary, where he was graduated in 1891. 






REV. C. A. PLACE. 



REV. C. S. HUTCHINSON. 



44 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 




THE LATE HON. EUSTACE C. FITZ. 

Being immediately ordained, he accepted 
his first call to become pastor of the 
First Baptist church at Oneonta, N. Y., 
and the same year was married to Mary 
R. Fitch of Walton, N. V., a graduate of 
Vassar college in 1SS7, and who has been 
of great assistance to him in his life work. 
He remained in Oneonta from 1S91 to 
1896, which period comprised a pleasant 
and successful pastorate, and during which 
time the church increased in membership 
from 350 to 550. In response to the 
call of the Cary Avenue Baptist church, 
he came to Chelsea in May, 1X96. Since 
that time, the success in building up the 
church has been marked, for in a little 
over two years, 146 new members have 
been taken into the church, and the 
attendance of the Sunday school doubled. 
By the largely increased audiences at both 
morning and evening services, Mr. Pierce's 
popularity as a preacher is shown. Since 
becoming a resident of Chelsea, he has 
been active in his duties as a citizen, and 
is known as an able preacher, a profound 
thinker and kind and sympathetic pastor. 
In 1897 he was a delegate to the interna- 
tional convention of the Christian Endeav- 
orers which met in California. While 
there he had the opportunity of visiting 
Los Angeles and various other places of 
interest on the Pacific coast. He is one 



of the present directors of the Chelsea 
Young Men's Christian association and is 
enrolled in the membership of the Knights 
of Pythias and the Sons of Veterans. He 
resides on Lawrence street. 



Fitz Public Library. 



In this institution the city possesses a 
free public library accessible to all who 
care to avail themselves of the use of its 
16,232 volumes or its well-equipped read- 
ing rooms. The library was established 
in 1868. The institution was opened to 
the city, Jan. 1, 1870. The original 
number of volumes was 3,384, and the 
library has steadily grown in popularity 
and resources until it has become one of 
the finest and most complete of those 
possessed by the smaller cities of the state. 
The first location was in Green's block, 
corner of Broadway and Second street. 
In 1874 the quarters were removed to 
Campbell's building, where books were 
provided the public until 1885, when 
Hon. Eustace C. Fitz purchased, altered 
and gave to the city the present building 
and beautiful grounds located on Broad- 
wax-, between Marlboro and Matthews 




MEDORA JENNETT SIMPSON. 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



45 



streets. The present library building was 
dedicated Dec. 22, 1885, and the name 
changed in honor of the donor, from the 
Public Library of the City of Chelsea to 
the Fitz Public library. The first floor 
comprises the stock, reception, three 
reading and two reference rooms, and the 
second floor contains the rooms for the 
librarian, Chelsea and public documents. 
Several large paintings in oil adorn the 
main floor, 
including a 
fine one of 
the founder. 
The institu- 
tion has no 
per m anent 
fund, but is 
supported by 
the annual 
appropria- 
tion of the 
city and by 
d o nations. 
The annual 
home circu- 
lation during 
the current 
year is be- 
twee n 
000 

77,000 vol- 
umes, and 
the reading 
room about 
9,300 vol- 
umes. In the 
reading 
roo m the 
current num- 
bers of eighty 
p er i odicals 
are kept. 

The officers and board of trustees com- 
prise the following : Present trustees, 
William Robinson, Charles A. Campbell, 
Eugene F. Endicott, Simeon P>utterfield, 
William E. Gilman, Alton E. P>riggs. 
The librarian is Aledora Jennett Simpson, 
who has served efficiently since the foun- 
dation of the library, being first elected 
to the office in 1S69. Portraits of both 
the founder and librarian are presented 
on the previous page. 



/0>" 

and 




JUDGE MELLEN CHAMBERLAIN, LL.D., LL 



Judge Mellen Chamberlain, LL.D. 

A distinguished resident of Chelsea is 
Judge Mellen Chamberlain, perhaps one 
of the best-known authorities on literature 
in this state. He was born in Pembroke, 
N. H., June 4, 1821, and graduated at 
Dartmouth college in 1844. A few years 
later he entered the Dane Law school, at 
Cambridge, where he received the degree 

of LL.B.,and 
in 1849 he 
began the 
study of law 
in Boston 
and became 
a resident of 
Chelsea. In 
185S-9 he 
served in the 
state legis- 
lature, in 
1 8 6 3 - 4 in 
the senate, 
and fro m 
iS66toiS7S 
was a judge, 
a portion of 
which time 
was chief 
justice of the 
m u n i c i p a 1 
court of 
Boston. I n 
187S he was 
elected libra- 
rian- in-chief 
of the Boston 
Public lib- 
rary. His 
fa m i 1 i a r i t y 
with books 
a n d litera- 
ture enabled him to discharge with credit 
the responsible duties of the office, from 
which, by reason of ill health, he retired 
October, 1890. His research into New- 
England History has been profound, and 
until recently, he has contributed various 
works which have added much to Ameri- 
can literature, consisting of historical 
papers, addresses, poetry and biographies. 
He is considered the highest authority on 
local history and for several years was 



46 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



engaged in the preparation of the history 
of Chelsea. On account of failing health, 
after writing the first 200 years of this 
history, he turned the sacred manuscript 
over to Simeon Butterfield for completion. 
Judge Chamberlain is a corresponding 
member of the Royal Society of Northern 
Antiquities at Copenhagen and Denmark, 
and of the N. H., N.Y., Perm, and Mass. 
Historical societies. He received the de- 
gree of LL.l >. in 1 885, and is a fellow of the 
American Academy of Arts and Sciences. 
He resides on Washington avenue. 



The Late Benj. Penhallow Shillaber. 



This cel- 
e b r a t e d 
poet and 
h u morist 
and resi- 
dent of 
Chelsea 
w a s born 
i n Ports- 
mouth, N. 
H., July 
12, 1814. 
H e came 
to Boston 
in 1833, 
and in 
1840 be- 
came con- 
n e c t e d 
w i t h the 
Boston 
Post, where 
the career 
of Mrs. 
Partington 
began, when, on the occasion of a rise in 
bread-stuffs, she remarked that the price 
of flour made no difference to her, for 
she "always had to pay the same amount 
for half a dollar's worth." This was 
copied far and wide in the papers in the 
country, and made him famous. While 
connected with the Post he became a 
writer of verses, many breathing the true 
poetic spirit, notably, "The Little Low 
Hut by the Riverside." He left the Post 
in 1850 to establish with others a journal 
called the Carpet Bag, but it was not a 







V 






- 


, ■ V 


-j 


1^ 




. 






! ''TBfc"Sfc» : 



THE LATE BENJAMIN PENHALLOW SHILLABER. 



pecuniary success, as the world was not 
then ready evidently to support a funny 
paper. He was afterwards connected 
with the Saturday Evening Gazette, where 
he created many new characters. In his 
later years he wrote delightful letters for 
the Hartford Post over the signature of 
"Old Man with a Cane." He wrote nine 
books in all, the one in which he took 
most pride, "Lines in Pleasant Places," a 
collection of occasional poems for which 
he had a great facility. He read before 
Tufts and Dartmouth colleges on com- 
mencement occasions. His connection 
with Franklin Typo, societv, with Free 
Masons and Odd Fellows, frequently drew 

upon t h e 
offices o f 
h i s good- 
natureil 
muse ; and 
his pen was 
ever ready 
for service 
in the 
affairs o f 
the city of 
his adop- 
tion. For 
many years 
he was a 
v a 1 11 e d 
member of 
theChelsea 
school 
committee, 
the o n 1 y 
office he 
ever de- 
sired to 
hold : and 
his bust in marble, the work of Darius 
Cobb, presented to the city by Hon. 
Rufus S. Frost, adorns the hall of the high 
school. While liberal in his opinions, he 
was tolerant of all religious beliefs. His 
creed, said one who knew him well, "was 
love to God and man exemplified in every 
act of his life." The affection he inspired 
in old and young alike was but the reflec- 
tion of his own sunny nature, for as Mrs. 
Eliz. Akers Allen said, "he radiated cheer- 
fulness as the hearth fire sends out light 
and heat." The last years of his life, 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



47 



with exception of summer outings, were 
spent in the retirement of home, he being 
a great suffer from gout, which he play- 
fully said was inherited from his wife's 
relations, she having been a descendant 
of a noble Huguenot family. He passed 
away suddenly on Nov. 25, 1891. 

Chelsea Parks. 



Chelsea has been progressive in regard 
to providing parks of various kinds. 
Union park, near the Boston & Maine 
railroad station, in the centre of which 
stands the soldiers' monument, was estab- 
lished in 1 87 1. Washington park, in the 
Prattville district, was established in the 
80s. This adds greatly to the beauty of 
this section of the city. In 1897, 
\\ 'innisimmet parkway was created in the 
centre of Chelsea square, greatly enhanc- 
ing the appearance of that central spot ; 
that year the whole top of Powderhorn hill, 
which is 200 feet above the sea, was taken 
for park purposes, and provision was 
made for two large playgrounds. 



The Woodlawn Cemetery. 

On the following page is presented a 
view of the entrance of Woodlawn, the 
important cemetery this side of Boston, 
lots in which are largely owned by promi- 
nent residents of Chelsea, East Boston, 
Everett, Maiden and Revere. This 
beautiful city of the dead is located in the 
limits of Everett, but is adjoined by 
Chelsea and Revere. While like others, 
Woodlawn cemetery has been spared 
neither money nor pains for the preserva- 
tion and improvement of the natural 
beauty of its grounds, its extensive lawns, 
walks, drives and lots, its approach and 
entrance avenues, even after one is far 
inside the gates, have nothing of the 
appearance of a cemetery, thus making 
it distinguished among the leading ceme- 
teries of the state. In its new entrance, 
the owners, who since 1894 have been 
composed entirely of the lot holders, may 
justly be proud ; and since its completion 
in the early spring of 1898, it has attract- 
ed many visitors. This important addi- 
tion was carried out under the plans of 
architect William Hart Taylor, a resident 



of Chelsea, and is justly considered a 
marvellously beautiful and artistic work. 
Connected by a battlement wall with the 
wrought iron gates which are supported 
by several towers of granite, the centre 
one of which is thirty feet in height, is a 
large lodge house of Graeco-Roman archi- 
tecture. This building possessing a beau- 
tifully designed and executed tower is 
finished with a regard to both beauty and 
convenience. In this handsome structure 
are contained the offices of the cemetery 
in which are several large fire proof vaults 
for the storage of valuable records. Here 
also are waiting and other rooms for the 
convenience of visitors and officials. For 
passing through the gateway there are 
two broad drives, on each side of which 
are separate foot paths. While the en- 
trance of this cemetery comprises one of 
the handsomest and most costly in the 
United States, its grounds admits of few 
peers either in well kept avenues or costly 
monuments. It is noted for its restful 
shaded wooded drives, which contain 
thousands of forest trees in full growth, 
while from the summit of Corbett hill 
can be seen the waters of the harbor and 
bay, and many charming views of the 
distant hills. The cemetery comprises 
about 175 acres and was organized in 
185 1, but as before stated came under 
the control of the lot owners in 1894. 
The present management is exceedingly 
liberal and efficient, guarding well the 
interests of the lot owners. The ceme- 
tery possesses a large fund for the 
perpetual care of lots, and a maintenance 
fund for the general care of the cemetery. 
At this writing there are about 27,000 
interments there. The present officers 
of the corporation are : Charles Leeds, 
president : Eugene F. Endicott, secre- 
tary ; Roscoe Pierce, treaserer, and F. 
F. Marshall, superintendent. The trus- 
tees are Elisha S. Converse, E. F. Endi- 
cott, Frank W. Remick, William H. 
Remick, J. Frank Wellington, Wilmot R. 
Evans, David H. Blaney, Robert M. Bar- 
nard and Charles Leeds, and in the 
proverbial perfect care of the cemetery 
and the arrangement of its daily affairs 
in detail much credit is given the 
efficient superintendent. 



48 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 




CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



49 



Hon. Seth J. Littlefield. 



The present mayor of Chelsea, Hon. 
Seth j. Littlefield, was born in Water- 
boro, York County, Maine, in 1S39. He 
is a son of William Littlefield, who was 
a well-to-do farmer of that town. He 
spent his early days on the home farm and 
attended district school winters. In i860 
he came to Wenham, Essex County, and 
e n t ering a 

large general 1 

store carried 
on by B. C. 
Put nam & 
Co., where 
he com- 
menced to 
learn the 
rudiments of 
mere a ntile 
life. By close 
applica t i o n 
and natural 
business apt- 
i t u d e he 
soon gained 
favor w i t h 
his employ- 
ers, and a 
few years 
later was 
engaged by 
Henry 
Damon, the 
once noted 
C. O. D. 
Boston boot 
and shoe 
dealer, as 
traveling 
salesman, hon.sethj. littlefiel 

Where he Photo by Purdy. 

made equal progress. He later became 
traveling salesman for the wholesale boot 
and shoe house of Hyde, Hutchinson 
& Co., remaining with the firm as an 
employee until after the great fire in 1872, 
controlling the largest trade and drawing 
the highest salary of any New England 
shoe salesman on the road at that time. 
In 1873 the firm became reorganized and 
he became one of its members, the new 
firm being Hutchinson, Littlefield & 




Hoag. He continued in the wholesale 
shoe business until November, 1895, 
when he sold out and retired to attend to 
his other interests. During his residence 
in Chelsea, Mr. Littlefield has done much 
towards improving his personal real estate 
as well as looking after public matters. 
His residence at Prattville commands a 
grand view of the city and is surrounded 
by spacious grounds. Since he cast his 

first vote for 
Abraham 
Lincoln, in 
i860, Mr. 
Littlefield 
has been a 
staunch re- 
publican, 
and for many 
years has 
been active 
in local poli- 
tics. He was 
first elected 
a member of 
the city 
g o vernment 
in 1889, 
serving the 
three follow- 
ing years in 
the common 
council. In 

1S93-4-5- 6 
he was a 
member of 
the board of 
alder men. 
During h i s 
terms in 
both branch- 
es he served 
on important 
committees and was active in furthering 
the best interests of the city. During 
the entire time he served on the com- 
mittee on fire department, of which 
committee he was for four years chairman. 
In 1896 he drafted the ordinance creating 
the office of permanent chief of the fire 
department. He was five years a member 
of the committee on public property and 
introduced the order for bonding the land 
for the new Prattville schoolhouse. His 



D, MAYOR OF CHELSEA. 



5° 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



election to the office of mayor by the 
largest vote ever before given a candidate, 
showed the confidence reposed in him by 
the voters and taxpayers of Chelsea. 
Since assuming the responsibilities of the 
office, his aim to give the people an 



enables him to fill the mayor's chair with 
good results, and his term so far has re- 
flected credit on his integrity and ability. 
Mayor Littlefield comes of old New Eng- 
land stock, and traces his ancestry back 
to the intercolonial times. His grand- 




CHELSEAS MAYOR AND BOARD OF ALDERMEN, 1898. 



Photo by Purdy. 

economical and business-like administra- 
tion has been strongly and fully demon- 
strated. Mayor Littlefield is known as 
one of the few who have secured election 
without the support of the Citizens' ticket. 
His knowledge of the city departments 



father, great-grandfather and four great- 
uncles fought in the Revolution. He is a 
(barter member of the Old Suffolk chap- 
ter, S. A. R., of this city. The mayor is 
esteemed the highest by those who know 
him best. 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



5 1 



George B. Gurney, 

During the many years the office of 
city clerk of Chelsea has been filled by 
the present incumbent, George Benson 
Gurney, the city has been fortunate. He 
was born in Boston in 1844 and he 
attended the Quincy school. When he 
was quite young his father died, making 
it necessary for him to start out for him- 
self when a mere boy. This, however, 
taught him self reliance ; and, with that 
sense of responsibility which urges a young 
man to do his best, he went to work in 



faction of the city, and increasing in 
popularity yearly. He is a member of 
various social organizations, and takes an 
active part in all in which he is interested. 
He has, for a number of years, been 
secretary of the Review club, is a member 
and has been through the chairs in the 
Knights of Honor, Royal Arcanum and 
A. O. U. W. His interest in all matters 
concerning the welfare of Chelsea has 
ever been noticeable. 

Thomas Bell Frost. 



The city treasurer and collector of taxes 



r' 


*^T5 


^ 




«SR»V 


1 

\ 




GEORGE B. GURNEY, CITY CLERK. 

the cotton business, in which he rose from 
the bottom round of the ladder. He re- 
moved to Chelsea in 1859 and has ever 
since been an adopted resident of the 
city. He served in the common council 
in 1 88 1 -8 2, and the latter year was 
appointed assistant city clerk under 
Samuel Bassett, then in feeble health. 
After having practically assumed the 
entire duties of the position for two years, 
in 1884 he was elected city clerk, being 
regularly re-elected every succeeding year 
to the present time, and filling the ardu- 
ous duties of the office to the entire satis- 



THOMAS BELL FROST, CITY TREASURER. 

of Chelsea, Thomas Bell Frost, has filled 
that office continuously since October 7, 
1886. He was born in Newcastle, N. H., 
February 23, 1845. He attended school 
at Durham academy, and later the 
Chandler Scientific school of Dartmouth 
college. His father being dead, he was 
unable to complete his college course. 
Leaving college, he taught school for two 
years in his native town, during which 
time he had a larger number of pupils 
than has since been under the charge of 
a single teacher there. Later he removed 
to Portland, Me., and engaged in business 



5 2 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



requiring him for seven years to travel 
throughout Maine and New Hampshire. 
He came to Chelsea in 1873, and for 
seven years thereafter was in charge of 
the books of a large wholesale jewelry 
house in Boston. Later, he was account- 
ant for the Ashcroft Manufacturing Co., 
and for the Boston Electric Co. In 1881 
he became head bookkeeper of the Inter- 
national Trust Co., and was the first to 
adapt the books of the international 
banking system to the business of trust 
companies. Beside his bank work, he 
did much outside as expert accountant. 
His election to his 
present office, suc- 
ceeding the late Mr. 
Holloway, gave him 
excellent opportunity 
to demonstrate his 
profession, and his 
books and accounts 
are so kept that any 
question pertaining 
to his office may be 
answered while the 
inquirer is at the tele- 
phone. In the first 
iew years of his in- 
cumbency he had to 
cope with several 
serious financial ques- 
tions, known only to 
but few, all of which 
have terminated to 
the city's credit. The 
entire indebtedness 
of the city has been 
refunded by him at a 
low rate, and the 
credit of Chelsea is first-class. Outside 
the arduous duties of his office, Mr. Frost 
has handled the settlement of a large 
Boston estate, acting without council in 
opposition to a leading law firm, with 
success for those by whom he was em- 
ployed. He is a royal arch Mason, mem- 
ber of several insurance orders, board of 
trade and Review club. He is prominent 
in church work, and was for several years 
superintendent of the Sunday school in 
the Central Cong, church, and the leader 
of the Young People'^ association, which 
afterwards merged into the Y. P. S. C. E. 



Kimball Easterbrook. 




KIMBALL EASTERBROOK, City Auditor. 



By virtue of his having held the office 
of city auditor since January 1, 1880, 
Kimball Easterbrook is noted for being 
the longest in office of Chelsea public 
officials. He was born in Evans county, 
near Buffalo, New York, and married and 
settled in Chelsea in 1859. He enlisted 
in company G, Fortieth Mass. infantry, 
and was mustered into service September 
5, 1862. His term of enlistment was 
three years and he saw continued active 
service. October 21, 1863, he was ap- 
pointed quartermas- 
ter sergeant, the fol- 
lowing December re- 
ceiving a discharge 
to be promoted and 
commissioned first 
lieutenant, and No- 
vember, 16, 1864, 
was made regimental 
quartermaster. Elect- 
ed city auditor of 
Chelsea January 1, 
1880, his efficiency 
in filling the intricate 
duties of his office has 
won him a re-election 
every succeeding 
year. He is a mem- 
ber of Theodore 
Winthrop post, ( '.. A. 
K... Mystic lodge, I. 
O. O. F., Knights of 
Honor, Review club 
and Chelsea Board of 
trade. 



George M. Stearns. 

George Myron Stearns is a member of 
the Suffolk bar and is city solicitor of 
Chelsea. He was born in Spencer, this 
state, April 27, 1856, and is the son of 
[saac N. and Mary (Wood ) Stearns. His 
direct ancestors came from England and 
members of the family were among the 
early settlers of Watertown. Mr. Stearns 
began his education in the public schools, 
later attending Wilbraham academy, and 
fitted for the legal profession at the law 
school of Boston university, from which 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



53 



institution he graduated with the class of 
1879. He was admitted to the bar in 
the following year and has since had his 
office in Boston. In Chelsea, where he 
makes his residence, he is prominent in 
municipal affairs and in every possible 
way shows his interest in and regard for 
his adopted city. He was elected to the 
common council for the years 1887-8, 
and in 1892-3-4 was a member of the 
Board of 
aldermen, 
acting as 
chairman the 
last year. His 
c o m m i t tee 
appoint- 
ments were : 
finance, or- 
dinances, 
claims, a n d 
accounts. 
Mr. Stearns 
is an ardent 
r epu blican 
when it 
comes to 
questions of 
party, a n d 
has served 
on the ward, 
city and 
county com- 
mittees. He 
is a Mason 
and a past 
chance llor 
command e r 
in the Pyth- 
ian brother- 
hood. H i s 
religious 
s y m p athies 

are most strongly with the Unitarians and 
he takes a deep interest in the welfare of 
the denominational movement in Chelsea, 
being clerk of the First Unitarian society 
and a member of the standing committee. 
February 14, 1882, he was married to 
Miss Idella E. Wilkinson and he has two 
children. As legal adviser to the city of 
Chelsea, Mr. Stearns is constantly dealing 
with the many peculiar problems which 
are almost constantly arising to trouble 



and perplex. His opinions have carried 
the greatest weight, and when put to the 
test, have been shown to be practical and 
judicial. His private practice is large 
and of a most desirable nature. With 
inherent capacity for winning honors to 
himself in any one of various lines of 
effort to which he might apply himself, 
Mr. Stearns made no mistake in devoting 
his energy to the law, for he has shown 

that he is the 
happy pos- 
sessor of the 
tact and dis- 
criminat i o n 
so essential 
to a success- 
ful career at 
the bar. 




Walter 
Bachelder. 



GEORGE M. STEARNS, CITY SOLICITOR. 



The inspect- 
or of build- 
ings and 
superintend- 
ent of public 
buildings has 
been a resi- 
dent of Chel- 
sea for nearly 
thirty -one 
year s. He 
was born in 
G ardner, 
Me., fifty 
years ago and 
was educated 
in the public 
school there. 
When twenty- 
one years of 
age he came to Chelsea and has since 
resided and done business here. For 
several years he was engaged in the con- 
tracting and building business, his opera- 
tions and reputation extending not a 
little out of the city limits. Three years 
ago he was appointed to his present office 
by Hon. J. C. Loud, and subsequently 
was re-appointed by both mayors Pratt 
and Littlefield. His office is a respon- 
sible one, it being his duty to superintend 



54 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



the construction of all new public build- 
ings and the repairs of all others, his 
office entailing entire responsibility for 
maintaining public property in good 
repair. As inspector of buildings it is his 
duty to inspect all building within the 
cit) limits, issuing all permits for the 
construction of the same and condemning 



H. A. Spencer. 




WALTER BACHELDER, Ins. AND Supt. Bu.ldings. 

when he finds necessary. That he is well 
capable of dispatching the responsible 
duty is well known, he being thoroughly 
conversant with safe building require- 
ments. At the Dwight school, Boston, 
he fitted up the first room and was the 
first instructor of the practical use of 
carpenter's tools to boys, which was the 
starting point of the present industrial 
school system. He taught in this branch 
later, three evenings a week at Roxbury 
evening school and two afternoons a week 
at Hyde Park. He is well up in ( )dd Fel- 
lowship and a member of the scarlet lodge, 
encampment and Canton. He is also a 
member of the N. E. order of Protection. 
Since casting his first vote in the old 
school house in Winnisimmet square, on 
site of which is now laid the Chelsea 
Police Courts building. Mr. Bach elder has 
never missed an election. 



The chief engineer of the Chelsea fire 
department was born in Maine, but has 
lived in Chelsea since he was six years of 
age. He was educated in the local public 
schools, and at fifteen enlisted in the navy, 
serving in the late war. For over thirty 
years he has been a member of the fire 
department, being for twenty years con- 
nected with the hook and ladder company, 
nine years of which he was foreman. He 
served three years on the board of engi- 
neers, and was made chief in 1889, which 
position he has ever since filled with 
marked efficiency. Since he was made 
chief, there has never been a year when 
losses by fire in this city have aggregated 
850,000, the lowest total losses in any 




H. A. SPENCER, Chief Fire Dept. 

year having been Si 0,000. Chief Spencer 
is highly popular in the fire department, 
which is more or less composed of call 
firemen. He is a member of Theodore 
Winthrop post, ( i. A. R., Union Veterans' 
Union, Star of Bethlehem lodge and is a 
Knight Templar Mason. He is one of 
the most popular officials. 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



55 



Colman Tilden. 



The city messenger of Chelsea was born 
in Scitnate, Mass., in 1S40, and when 
eight years of age his parents removed to 
Chelsea, where he has ever since resided. 
After being educated in the local public 
schools, he worked at the mason's trade, 
first as an apprentice, later as a journey- 
man, remaining in the service of his first 
employer ten years and that of his second 
employer, twenty-seven years. He served 
in the late war, enlisting for nine months 
in company H., 43rd Mass. volunteers, 
serving nearly a year 
with credit to himself. 
He is a member of 
the Theodore Win- 
throp post, G. A. R., 
and on the breaking 
out of the war was a 
m ember of Hose 
company No. 1 , Chel- 
sea fire department. 
For twenty consecu- 
tive years, most of 
which time he was 
warden, he served as 
precinct officer in 
Ward 1. He was 
elected city messen- 
ger by the board of 
aldermen, May 1, 
1893, to fill a vacancy 
caused by the death 
of the former 
messenger, Charles 
Howard, and has 
been re-elected to 
that office by unani- 
mous vote, every succeeding year. That 
he despatches the duties of his office with 
marked efficiency, is a fact as well known 
as is his popularity in the city govern- 
ment, in this and former years. 




COLMAN TILDEN, 
Photo by Purdy. 



Hon. William E. Barrett. 



The first election of a young man to 
the lower branch of the Massachusetts 
legislature from the Town of Melrose, 
began one of the most interesting politi- 
cal careers in the history of the state. 
The young man from Melrose was William 



E. Barrett, and his primary election was 
in the year 1887. They who kept close 
watch upon the proceedings of the ensu- 
ing session realized that Mr. Barrett would 
be heard from later. He took a most 
intelligent and clear-cut position upon 
matters at debate, and was returned the 
following year and chosen speaker of the 
house, an honor, indeed, to so young a 
man, with but one year's experience with 
actual legislation at Beacon hill. How- 
ever, he was not a stranger in the domain 
of politics. Coming fresh from active 
journalistic work, he had an extensive 
acquaintance with 
men and methods, 
gathered both in the 
home and more re- 
mote fields. Mr. Bar- 
rett is essentially a 
man of greater Bos- 
ton, although part of 
his youth and young 
manhood was spent 
elsewhere. He was 
born in Melrose, Dec. 
29, 1858, the son of 
Augustus and Sarah 
(Emerson) Barrett. 
He began his educa- 
tion in the schools 
of his native town, 
continuing his studies 
at the high school at 
Claremont, N. H., at 
which place his father 
was engaged in busi- 
ness. He graduated 
from Dartmouth col- 
lege with the class of 
1880, having in mind a newspaper career. 
His first connection was with the Mes- 
senger, of St. Albans, Vt. He remained 
with the Messenger for two years, doing 
general work. In 1882 he removed to 
Boston and secured a position on the 
Daily Advertiser. His labors were suc- 
cessful from the very first, a notable 
incident being his reports of the bitter 
campaign in Maine of the fall of 1882. 
Soon after he was promoted to Washing- 
ton correspondent of the Advertiser, 
becoming one of the best-known and 
influential men among the selected corps 



CITY MESSENGER. 



56 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



who represent the great publications in 
Washington. In the presidential canvass 
of 1884, resulting in the election of Presi- 
dent Cleveland, Mr. Barrett made a tour 
of the doubtful states, and his letters 
printed at the time formed a valuable 
contribution to the political information 



Evening Record, so well known and pop- 
ular among New England readers. Mr. 
Barrett was successively chosen speaker 
of the house from 1888 through the ses- 
sion of 1893. While serving as a member 
of the house he was invited by the legis- 
lature to deliver a eulogv on the late 




HON. WILLIAM E. BARRETT, CONGRESSMAN 7TH DISTRICT. 



of the day, being thoroughly unbiased, 
careful and accurate. In 1886 he was 
recalled from Washington to become 
managing editor of the Advertiser, and 
later, as now, publisher and leading pro- 
prietor, afterwards treasurer of the corpo- 
ration. He is also publisher of the Boston 



James (i. Blaine. Me responded with 
one of the finest eulogies ever presented. 
His election each year was by the vote of 
both parties. Through these several years 
in the chair, Mr. Barrett made a notable 
record as a presiding officer upon all 
occasions, however trying, and, to the 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



57 



fullest extent, had the confidence and 
respect of all with whom he had to do in 
his official position. The matters of 
legislation considered and acted upon 
during Mr. Barrett's incumbency of the 
speakership form no small part of the 
recent epochs in Bay state lawmaking. 
A special election became necessary in 
the spring of 1S93 to fill the vacancy 
caused by the resignation of congressman 
Henry Cabot Lodge, then elected a 
member of the United States senate. 
Mr. Barrett was the republican nominee 
at this election, but, owing to elements of 
disaffection in his own party who carried 
to the ballot box the memories of a sharp 
struggle for the nomination, he was de- 
feated by Dr. William Everett of Quincy, 
by thirty-one votes. The will of the 
republicans of the seventh district was 
unmistakably for Mr. Barrett as the party 
candidate at the regular election in 
November, 1894, and he was chosen a 
member of the fifty-fourth congress by a 
vote of 16,383 to 9,699 for S. K. Hamil- 
ton of Wakefield, democrat, and was 
re-elected two years later to the fifty-fifth 
congress, receiving 22,759 votes to 10,609 
for Philip J. Doherty of Boston, his demo- 
cratic opponent. The seventh district 
comprises a section of the state having 
immense manufacturing interests, compris- 
ing as it does the cities of Lynn, Chelsea, 
Maiden, Everett, and wards 4 and 5, 
Boston, besides the towns of Nahant, 
Saugus, Melrose, Stoneham, Wakefield and 
Revere. Of these diversified interests, 
congressman Barrett has been a conscien- 
tious and untiring exponent, holding views 
in accord with the republican majority 
upon the leading questions of the day. 
He has been active in naval matters 
which have been brought to the consider- 
ation of congress. Being the only New 
England member of the river and harbor 
committee, the recent appropriation of 
$2,500,000 granted by congress for the 
improvement of Boston harbor was se- 
cured through his efforts — a work fully 
appreciated. Regarding the new large 
dry dock for the navy yard, he served as 
chairman of the Massachusetts delegation 
whose united efforts resulted in obtaining 
the recent appropriation for this com- 



mendable object, having a particular 
interest in this field in view of the loca- 
tion of one of the leading navy yards of 
the country in his district. Another not- 
able feature of his career in Washington 
was his pressing to passage a resolution 
of censure upon ambassador Bayard for 
certain public remarks made in his official 
capacity in Great Britain. Mr. Barrett's 
recent announcement of his retirement 
from congress at the expiration of his 
present term, was received with regret 
throughout his entire constituency and by 
hosts of others who have watched his 
doings at Washington with approbation. 
He has always made a particularly strong 
run in Chelsea and his interest in the 
welfare of this city has been broad and 
sincere. His success in public life has 
been remarkable and his record would 
indicate that he were deserving of still 
higher honors. Mr. Barrett has numerous 
business connections aside from his news- 
papers and is a member of various social 
and fraternal organizations, including the 
Masons. In March, 1887, he was married 
to Annie L. Bailey of Claremont, N. H. 
He resides at Melrose. 



Alfred W. Brown. 



In the capacity of secretary of the 
Chelsea Board of trade the past three 
years, Mr. Brown has been a tireless 
worker for the interests of the city. In 
December, 1S97, he was nominated by 
President McKinley as assistant appraiser 
of merchandise for the Port of Boston 
and Charlestown, and his appointment 
was promptly confirmed by the senate. 
That he has already proven himself fully 
capable of the exacting duties of that 
office, goes without saying, in view of his 
extended and thorough business training. 
When a young man, he entered the 
counting room of one of the largest cloth- 
ing concerns in Boston, rising to a posi- 
tion of the highest trust with this house, 
his connection with which covered a 
period of twenty-two years. He has been 
active in politics as a Republican, and 
for six years was secretary of the city 
committee, and since April, 1893, he has 
been chairman of the Seventh Congres- 



5§ 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



sional District Republican committee. 
He has the confidence and esteem of 
leading public men in the state to a flat- 
tering extent. He has held elective office 
in the city government and was president 
of the common council in 1890- 1-2. His 
name has been repeatedly mentioned in 
connection with mayoralty honors and his 
nomination to that office by both parties 
seemed assured in 1895, but he declined, 
by reason of 
numerous 
and pressing 
business en- 
gag ements. 
He is now 
serving as a 
member of 
the board of 
park c o m - 
m i s s i oners 
and is secre- 
tary of the 
frost hospi- 
tal. He is 
conne cted 
with Robert 
Lash lodge, 
1". & A. M.. 
T h e o d o re 
W i n t h r o p 
camp, S. of 
V., Powhatan 
Tribe of Red 
.Men, Review 
c 1 u b, Alter 
Ego cluband 
several other 
social and 
fraternal or- 
ga mzations. 
Mr. Brown is 
a native of 
the town of 

Hingham, Mass., and was born in 1857. 
1 lis parents removed to East Boston when 
he was quite young, and he received his 
education in the boston public schools, 
graduating from the English High school 
class of 1874, with honor, being the recipi- 
ent of three Lawrence prizes. Mr. Brown 
is now on his fourteenth year of residence 
in Chelsea, and he yields to none in his 
loyalty to the city and its many interests. 



ALFRED W. 

SECRETARY CHELSEA 



Frederick L. Cutting. 

Among the prominent men of Chelsea 
holding offices within the gift of the state, 
is Frederick L. Cutting, insurance com- 
missioner of Massachusetts, who since 
1850 has been a resident of this city. 
He was born in the North end of Hoston, 
August 14, 1842, his father being Henry 
Cutting of the firm of Cutting & Kendall. 

w e 1 1- known 
ship chand- 
lers at that 
time, whose 
place of 
business was 
at the corner 
of Hanover 
and C o m - 
m e r c i a 1 
streets. The 
subject of 
this sketch 
attended the 
Elliot school 
in Host o n , 
and w h e n 
eight years 
old his par- 
ents remov- 
ed to Chel- 
sea, where he 
attended the 
high and 
g r a m m a r 
schools. In 
1862, on his 
t w e n t i et h 
birthday, he 
enlisted i n 
company (i. 

40th Massa- 
brown, ^ 

BOARD OF TRADE. ClUlSCttS VOb 

lunteers for 
a three years' service in the war of the 
rebellion. His regiment was known as 
Dalton's boot cavalry, his principal offic- 
ers being Col. Guy V. Henry and Lieut. 
Col. Joseph A. Dalton, father of the 
present adjutant general. Mr. Cutting 
participated in many of the principal 
engagements of the late war, among which 
were the siege of Suffolk, Morris Island, 
S. C, Florida (as mounted infantry), 




CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



59 



Battle of Olustee, Fla., front of Peters- 
burg, Va., Cold Harbor, Ya., etc. After 
the fall of Richmond he was clerk for Col. 
Albert Ordway, provost marshall, whose 
headquarters were at Libby prison. He 
was detailed later to the post office at 
Richmond, by Gen. Grant, and as Gen. 
Sharpe, the postmaster there at the time, 
desired him to return to the position after 
his term of enlistment had expired, he 
did so, and 
held the 
same several 
m onths. 
After return- 
ing to his 
h o m e i n 
Chelsea, he 
was appoint- 
ed clerk in 
the office of 
the Surgeon 
General, 
William J. 
Dale, which 
he filled un- 
til accepting 
a position in 
the insurance 
d e partment 
of the state, 
offered him 
by Hon. 
Julius L . 
Clarke, then 
insurance 
c ommission- 
er. It was 
t w ent y-six 
years ago 
that he was 
offered that 
post without 
any solicita- Photo b >' P"rdy. 
tion on his part, and during that time, in 
filling the various positions in the depart- 
ment from clerk to insurance commis- 
sioner, a position in which he succeeded 
Major George S. Merrill, by his appoint- 
ment to that office by Governor Wolcott, 
October i, 1897, he has served the state 
efficiently and well. Mr. Cutting is a 
charter member of Theodore Winthrop 
post, G. A. R., of Chelsea, and for a full 




FREDERICK 

CE COMMISSION 



quarter of a century has been an officer 
in the Star of Bethlehem lodge, F. & A. 
M.. filling all the offices, elective and 
appointive. He is also a member of 
Shekinah chapter, R. A. M., in which he 
held the office of royal arch captain for 
a period of twelve years. He has ever 
taken his full part in promoting the inter- 
est of his adopted city, and is one of its 
valued as well as prominent citizens. 

William 

C. Cutler, 

M.D. 

In several 
widely differ- 
ing fields of 
thought and 
action, Dr. 
Cutler has 
scored not- 
able success- 
es. He is, 
beyond any 
doubt, the 
leading phy- 
sician and 
surgeon of 
the city and 
is a familiar 
figure in the 
homes a n d 
public 
places. The 
earlier mem- 
bers of the 
Cutler family 
resident i n 
this country 
came from 
England in 
1675 and 
settled near 
Boston. Dr. Cutler is a lineal descendant 
of the famous Manasseh Cutler, I.L.D., 
D.D., one of the original members of the 
band of energetic and fearless pioneers 
who played so important a part in the 
development of the Western Reserve ter- 
ritory by means of companies in the latter 
part of the eighteenth century. More 
recently, his grandfather, Hon. Elihu 
Cutler, represented the town of Holliston 



CUTTING, 

OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



6o 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



in both branches of the legislature and 
was a member of the constitutional con- 
vention of the early 20s. His father, 
Simeon N. Cutler, was a successful manu- 
facturer and public man in the same 
vicinity. The subject of this sketch was 
born in Holliston, May 17, 1837, studied 
at the Ashland high school and Mt. Hollis 
seminary, Holliston, and graduated from 
the Laight Street Medical college, New- 
York, in 
1859, and in 
the following 
year estab- 
lished him- 
self at Upton. 
He has re- 
sided in 
Chelsea since 
1866. He 
has been a 
member o f 
the state 
board of 
registration 
in medicine 
since its es- 
tablishme n t, 
and is con- 
nected with 
the American 
Institute of 
Homeopathy 
and with the 
M a ssac hu- 
setts and 
Boston 
Homeopathy 
Medical so- 
cieties. Dr. 
Cutler h a s 
ever been 
alive to the 
wonderful progress of medical science 
and was the first physician in this part of 
the country to import and use antitoxine 
for diphtheria ; and was the first in Chel- 
sea in the practice of incubation for the 
cure of membraneous or diphtheritic 
croup. In 1871, in the height of the 
smallpox epidemic, he became particu- 
larly interested in the preparation of 
bovine vaccine ; and, as the New England 
Vaccine company, his labors have become 




I'll >to by I'ui'lv. 



WILLIAM C. CUTLER, M. D. 



known throughout the civilized world. 
For several years he has been known as 
the largest patron of the Chelsea post 
office. Gifted with marked business 
talent, Dr. Cutler has been called to the 
directorate of the Winnisimmet National 
bank ; and he is one of the trustees of the 
County Savings bank. He is an ex- 
president of the Review club, in the 
organizing of which he was active, and is 

a thirty- 
second d e - 
gree Mason. 
He has al- 
ways been a 
democrat in 
his political 
sympathies, 
but has never 
accepted 
public office. 
He is the 
owner of a 
fruit planta- 
tion and a 
starch fac- 
tory at Cut- 
ler, Florida, 
which place 
was named 
for him, and 
is the most 
southern post 
office in the 
United 
States. Dr. 
Cutler is 
vice-presi- 
dent of the 
m e d i c a 1 
board of the 
Rufus S.Frost 
General hos- 
pital of Chelsea, where for some years he 
has also been consulting surgeon. In the 
many families where Dr. Cutler's name 
has become a household word, his skill 
and kindness of heart have earned reward 
beyond power of payment, and his good 
deeds without number will be cause for 
sincere gratitude. His service on the 
state board of registration in medicine has 
gained him a wide acquaintance among 
the physicians of the commonwealth. 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



61 



William Edward McClintock. 



This well-known resident is one of the 
best-known civil engineers of the com- 
monwealth, and a member of the state 
highway commission. He was born in 
Hallowell, Me., July 29, 1S4S, a son of 
Captain John and Mary Bailey (Shaw) 
McClintock. He is of Scotch-Irish de- 
scent on the paternal side and is descend - 
e d from 
William Mc- 
Clintock, one 
of the d e - 
fenders of the 
Siege of Lon- 
donderry in 
1689, and 
who came to 
this country, 
sett ling in 
Medford, in 
1 730. He is 
also de- 
scended from 
John Bailey, 
the early 
Puritan d i - 
vine. The 
subject of 
this sketch 
gained his 
early educa- 
tion at the 
public 
schools of his 
native town 
and later 
attended the 
Hallowell 
academy for 
four years, 
concl uding 
with a year at 
Readville, Me. 




WILLIAM EDWARD McCLINTOCK. 



Kent's Hill seminary, 
While a student, he 
taught school one term. Following his 
school course, he took up the study of 
civil engineering, inheriting a taste and 
talent for the work from his grandfather. 
His father was a well-known navigator, 
familiar with every sea, who crossed the 
Pacific with but a watch for a chronome- 
ter and a school atlas for a chart. His 
son first engaged in his life's calling in 



connection with the U. S. Coast survey, 
in which department he was engaged 
eight years, his duties making him fami- 
liar with the entire Atlantic coast from 
Maine to Louisiana. In 1876-9 he was 
employed in the survey of the city of 
Portland, in 1877-9 m tnat °f Boston 
harbor and a relocation of the survey of 
the B. & M. R. R. and all its branches in 
Massachusetts. He was made city engi- 
neer of Chel- 
sea in 1S80 
and served 
ten years in 
that capacity. 
H i s special 
engineering 
works have 
included sur- 
veys for the 
South Pass 
jetties at the 
mouth of the 
M ississippi 
river; surveys 
for the im- 
provement of 
the harbors 
of Boston, 
New York, 
and Portland, 
Me. ; and of 
S a c o river, 
Me.; Savan- 
nah river, 
Ga. ; Pamlico 
river, N.C. ; 
S t . Mary's, 
Nassau a n d 
St. John's 
rivers, Fla. ; 
and munici- 
pal sewerage 
systems in this state, of Chelsea, Revere, 
Gardner, W'estfield, Easthampton, Ando- 
ver, Lenox, Lexington and Natick, ; 
Exeter, N. H. ; Bennington, Vt. ; Bath 
and Calais, Me. ; and St. Stephen and 
Milltown in New Brunswick. He has 
served as consulting engineer on sewer 
and water works at Holyoke, Spencer, 
North Brookfield, North Attleboro and 
several other smaller towns in and outside 
this state. Since 1892, when appointed 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



by liovernor Russell, he has served con- 
tinuously as a member of the state high- 
way commission, being re-appointed by 
all succeeding governors. He has ever 
identified himself with the good roads 
movement, and written several articles 
and made addresses on modern road con- 
struction in nearly every city and large 
town in this commonwealth. He was the 
first president of the Massachusetts High- 
way associa- 
tion, and 
since 1893 
has been in- 
structor of 
highway en- 
gineering at 
the Lawrence 
Sc i e n t ific 
school at 
Harvard un- 
iversity. He 
is a member 
of the Amer- 
ican Society 
of Civil en- 
gineers, the 
Boston Soci- 
ety of Civil 
engine ers, 
and was once 
its president. 
I [e is a mem- 
ber of the L. 
A. W. and 
chairman of 
the good 
roads com- 
mittee, Mass. 
division, and 
enrolled in 
the member- 
ship of the 
Review club, Robert Lash lodge and 
Shekinah chapter, F. & A. M. He is an 
active member and for several years was 
treasurer of The Church of the Redeemer. 
He resides on Crescent avenue and was 
married June 17, 1873, to Mary Estelle 
Currier., of Portland, Me. He has five 
children : William, James, Francis Blake, 
Samuel Paul and Dorothy McClintock. 
He is very highly esteemed in the com- 
munity. 



Hon. Ernest W. Roberts. 




HON. ERNEST W. ROBERTS, SENATOR 1ST DISTRICT. 



The present state senator of this, the 
first Suffolk district of Massachusetts, has 
been twice honored with a seat in the 
upper branch of the state legislature, serv- 
ing his constituency with great accepta- 
bility. However, these were not his 
initial years in legislative matters, having 
previously been a member of the house of 

representa- 
tives and of 
the Chelsea 
Com m o n 
council. In 
these various 
bodies he 
w a s placed 
upon impor- 
tant commit- 
tees and was 
a tireless 
worker. He 
is a native of 
East Madi- 
son, Maine, 
born Nov. 2 2, 
1858, son of 
Orin P. and 
Eliza ( Dean ) 
Roberts. 
When he was 
six years old, 
h i s parents 
removed t o 
( 'harlestown, 
and in t h e 
f o 1 lowing 
year to Chel- 
sea, in which 
city he has 
since resid- 
ed. His pub- 
lic school education was supplemented by 
study at the Highland Military academy, 
Worcester, where he graduated in June, 
1.S77. He began his legal studies shortly 
after, his time being divided between the 
Boston University Law school and the 
office of Hon. Ira T. Drew, ex-district 
attorney of York county, Me. Immedi- 
ately upon his graduation from the law- 
school in June, 1881, Mr. Roberts was 
admitted to the Suffolk bar and has had 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



63 



his office in Boston ever since, although 
his practice has called him to remote 
portions of this country, and, on one occa- 
sion, to Europe, where he has spent 
varying lengths of time. He has been 
interested in political matters from an 
early age and has always acted with the 
Republican party. For some time he 
was secretary of the Republican city 
committee 
and is a 
member o f 
the Repub- 
lican club of 
Massachu- 
setts. Mr. 
Roberts finds 
time for so- 
cial matters 
and takes an 
active a n d 
deep interest 
in the Ma- 
sonic craft, 
being con- 
nected with 
Star of Beth- 
lehem lodge, 
Shekinah 
chapter, 
N a p t h a 1 i 
council and 
Palestine 
c o m m and- 
e r y , all of 
Chelsea, and 
in these bod- 
ies he has 
held various 
offices. He 
is also a 
member o f 
the Review, 
Alter Ego 
and Middle- 
sex clubs. Mr. Roberts has twice been 
married, the first time to Nella L. Allen, 
at Albany, N. Y., November 13, 1881, 
the second time to Sara M. Weeks, at St. 
Albans, Vt., February 2, 1898. The 
votes which Mr. Roberts has received at 
his various candidacies have been most 
flattering, and it is safely within the limits 
of those things almost certain to say that 



the hosts of friends and acquaintances 
familiar with his ability will not willingly 
desist from connecting his name with 
higher honors than those which have 
already been bestowed upon him. 



Melvin L. Breath. 




REPRESENTATIVE MELVIN L. BREATH 



One of the representatives to the state 
legislature 
from this 
city is Melvin 
L. Breath, 
who is now 
serving h i s 
first year in 
the house. 
He was born 
in N e w 
Orleans in 
1 8 5 8 , his 
w i d o w e d 
mother mov- 
ing to Chel- 
sea when he 
was ten years 
of age. He 
was therefore 
educated 
mostly in the 
local public 
schools. As 
a boy he was 
honest a n d 
industrious, 
and by hard 
work, strict 
economy and 
self denial he 
was enabled 
to start in 
the produce 
and baking 
business a t 
the age of 
twenty-two, and although he began in a 
small way, he has ever been successful, 
and built up a steadily increasing trade. 
For some years he has been engaged in 
the grocery and provision business, with 
a large and well-patronized store at the 
corner of Spencer avenue and Vernon 
street. Being a taxpayer in Chelsea, he 
became interested in the handling of city 



6 4 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



affairs, and in 1SS9 was a successful can- 
didate to the common council, serving 
with credit to himself in the lower branch 
of the city government. For several years 
he has been connected with the demo- 
cratic ward and city committee. As he 
became elected to the legislature in this 
city last year, his strength as a candidate 
was significantly demonstrated. Mr. 
Breath is an active 
legislator. He is 
president of the So- 
tura club, one of the 
influential social or- 
ganizations of Chel- 
sea, and resides on 
Central avenue. 



Scott F. Bickford. 



In 1897, Mr. 
Bickford served his 
second term as a 
member of the state 
legislature, a por- 
tion of Chelsea be- 
ing included in his 
district. His votes 
have been very flat- 
tering, particularly 
in Revere, where 
he makes his resi- 
dence. He has an 
extensive acquaint- 
ance with leading 
politicians through- 
out the state and is 
one of the most 
influential of the 
younger republi- 
cans now in public 
life. He is a native 
of Newbury port, 
where he graduat- 
ed from the public schools. lie began 
business life as Station agent and telegraph 
operator for the Boston & Maine road at 
Revere. He was afterwards employed 
by Irving A. Evans & Co., later entering 
the firm of Cox, Bickford & Co., ami is 
now senior partner of the firm of Bickford, 
Speare & Co. His house is largely inter- 
ested in the affairs of the Boston & 
Carolina Copper Mining company, whose 




property is located in Granville and Per- 
son counties, North Carolina, the heart of 
a great copper belt. The acreage aggre- 
gates 1,254, covers two and one-half 
miles in length, at an elevation of about 
1,000 feet. The railroad facilities have 
been recently greatly improved, giving an 
immense impetus to the development of 
the natural richness of the region. Four 
mines, the Blue 
W i n g, the Key- 
stone, the Pocahon- 
tas and the Gillis, 
comprising the 
property, have been 
carefully examined 
by such mineralo- 
gists as J. H. Sus- 
mann and J. A. 
Holmes, and each 
speaks in the most 
laudatory terms as 
to the wealth of 
the vein. Mr. Sus- 
mann, who is min- 
ing engineer for the 
Canadian Pacific 
railway, concludes 
his report by say- 
ing : " I feel justi- 
fied in recommend- 
ing the expenditure 
of capital to thor- 
oughly develop the 
properties in ques- 
tion by sinking and 
drifting, and believe 
that if it be judi- 
ciously applied, 
there is a good 
promise of profit 
for the money in- 
vested." On State 
street, the financial 
centre of New England, Mr. Bickford is 
known as a persevering and energetic busi- 
ness man. He is a director of the Win- 
nisimmet National bank and of the Pioneer 
Cold Mining Co. of California. He is a 
thirty-second degree Mason and a shriner, 
also a member of the Royal Arcanum, ( >dd 
"Fellows, Golden Cross, Pilgrim Fathers, 
Sons of the American Revolution, Societ) 
of Colonial Wars and of the Review club. 



REPRESENTATIVE SCOTT F. BICKFORD. 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



65 



The Late Simeon Butterfield. 



Simeon Butterfield, Senior, father of 
the well-known historian of Chelsea, was 
born in Cornish, N. H., Jan. 24, 1798. 
When a young man he removed to Bos- 
ton and engaged in business on Long 
wharf in 1830. On June 1st, 1S34, he 
purchased a residence in Chelsea, then 
called Winnisimmet village, a small ham- 
let of about 
ten families. 
T h e ferry 
c o m p a n y 
h a d previ- 
ously pur- 
c h a sed the 
farms in the 
village, put 
on larger 
s t e amboats 
to conve y 
p a ssengers, 
and laid out 
and graded 
streets. He 
was one of 
the first to 
join w i t h 
others who 
d e s i red to 
form socie- 
ties fur the 
improve- 
m ent a n d 
attraction of 
the growing 
village. 
W hen the 
G a r d e n 
cemetery 
w a s organ- 
ized, he was 

its president for a number of years. The 
Winnisimmet Benevolent society and 
Chelsea institution for savings were or- 
iginated with other projects. One was 
the building of the First Baptist church. 
Previous to this religious services were 
held in private houses. He was one of 
a special committee to furnish the Park 
Street School house with school furniture, 
and that committee invented the desks 
and seats of the modern school house now 




-.:,• 



LATE SIMEON BUTTERFIELD. 



in general use. In 1842, when the anti- 
slavery feeling began to develop, a caucus 
was called to form the " Liberty Barty." 
Simeon Butterfield was nominated as can- 
didate for representative. He received 
fourteen votes and from this small begin- 
ning arose the party that controlled the 
town and helped elect Abraham Lincoln 
president. He was past worthy patri- 
arch of the Samaritan encampment ; also 

past noble 
grand of the 
M y s t i c 
lodge of 
Odd Fel- 
lows, w h e n 
it met in 
Slade's hall, 
where is now 
the north 
parkway in 
W i n n isim- 
met square. 
He was ac- 
t i v e in all 
town affairs, 
and interest- 
e d in all 
m o v ements 
for its bene- 
fit and wel- 
fare. His 
death, in 
1850, de- 
prived Chel- 
sea of a val- 
ued citizen. 
After the 
city ha d 
improv ed 
Union park, 
the circle of 
trees at the 
head of the paths around the Soldiers' 
monument were dedicated to the memory 
of some of the early residents of the vil- 
lage. One was dedicated to his memory, 
a pleasant tribute to some of the pioneers 
of the village, now enlarged to a prosper- 
ous city. 

Simeon Butterfield. 



This well known citizen who succeeds 



66 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



Hon. Mellen Chamberlain as the author- 
ized historian of Chelsea is now engaged 
in writing the history of this locality from 
[825 to the present time, the material 
comprising the first two hundred years of 
the history of Chelsea having been writ- 
ten by fudge Chamberlain who some time 
since turned the papers and work over to 
him for completion. Probably no citizen 
is more familiar with the growth of Chel- 
sea and facts 
c o m prising 
its his t o r y 
for the past 
forty years 
t haii Mr. 
Bu tterfield, 
and certain- 
ly there are 
none more 
fitted for the 
a r d u u s 
task. Mr. 
Bu t terfield 
was born in 
Host on in 
1828, his 
parents r e - 
m o v ing to 
Chelsea in 
1834. Chel- 
sea was at 
that time 
called YVin- 
nisi m m et 
village. His 
fa t h e r , of 
w h m a 
portrait and 
sketch a p - 
pear, was 
one of the 
fore m s t 

men of the town and Ids ancestry dates 
back to the early Colonial period. The 
son received his education in the Boston 
public schools and afterwards gradu- 
ated at Chauncy-Hall school, finishing 
his education at the academy at New 
Hampton, N. H. lie commenced busi- 
ness life in his father's store on lou- 
wharf and was associated with him in the 
wholesale oil business until his death in 
1850, when he succeeded him and con- 




SIMEON BUTTERFIELD 



ducted the concern for the next twelve 
years. Later entering the Boston Custom 
house, he held office under the govern- 
ment until 1878, when he retired from 
active business having secured a com- 
petency. Since, and even before he 
obtained his majority, he has been active 
in the affairs of the city. He has served 
in the city government four years, two 
years in each branch, as follows: 1869- 

70 in the 
c o m m o n 
council and 
1 8 7 1 - 2 in 
the board of 
a 1 d ermen. 
He also 
served as a 
member o f 
the state 
1 e gislature 
m 1884-5-6, 
a n d h a s 
t a k en his 
full part in 
p u b 1 i c af- 
fairs. H i s 
con nection 
with politics 
and identifi- 
cation with 
the Repub- 
1 i c an party 
date b a c k 
many years, 
h i s activity 
and interest 
in its success 
making him 
well known 
t h roughout 
the state. 
In 1S61-2 
he was a member of the Republican State 
Central committee, and in October. [866, 
he presided at a memorable Republican 
rally held at the Academy of Music. He 
also served on the ward and city com- 
mittees as chairman of both, and for 
many years was chairman of the Fifth 
Congressional District committee. 

Mr. Butterfield when in public life did 
much for the benefit of Chelsea and its 
institutions, as well as looking closely 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



67 



after the interests of his constituents. 
He has for several years been a member 
of the trustees of the Fitz Public library, 
and being an enthusiast on both local 
and American history his library is an 
extensive one. This he will doubtless 
turn over to the public library at some 
future time. He is a member of the 
various Masonic bodies, and is also 
enrolled in the membership of the Odd 
Fellows and 
the Chelsea 
Board of 
trade. 



Hon. 

Frank B. 

Fay. 




Frank B. 
Fay, w h o 
holds the 
distinct i o n 
of being the 
war Mayor 
of Chelsea, 
is a son of 
Col. Fay, 
first mayor 
of Chelsea, 
a n d w a s 
born in 
Southboro, 
January 24, 
182 1 . When 
twelve years 
■of age, in 
1833, his 
fa m i 1 y re- 
in o v e d to 
Chelsea, 
then only a 
small village 
of fifty in- 
habitants. After receiving a common 
school training, Mr. Fay entered into 
business life, first as clerk, and later as 
partner in the house of Fay & Farwell, 
western produce commission merchants. 
AYhen a very young man he became a 
public spirited citizen of Chelsea. Al- 
though holding the office of mayor of 
-Chelsea for three years, 1861-2-3, much 
•of his time was spent at the front in the 



-* 



HON. FRANK B. FAY. 



relief service. In May, 1864, the U. S. 
Sanitary commission was established at 
his suggestion, and the Auxiliary Relief 
corps of which he was made chief. He 
resigned his position at the end of the 
year but remained an independent worker. 
He labored with untiring fidelity upon the 
battle-field, relieving and soothing the 
wounded ami dying soldiers. His name 
is associated with many of Chelsea's 

prom inent 
institutions, 
and he has 
h e 1 d many 
public posi- 
t i o n s of 
honor a n d 
trust. He 
was the first 
secretary of 
the Chelsea 
S a v i n g s 
bank, in 
1854, and a 
member o f 
t h e school 
c o mmittee 
in 1856. In 
1857 he was 
a p p o inted 
one of the 
overseers of 
the p oor, 
which office 
he no w 
holds. In 
that year 
also he was 
elected to 
t h e house 
of repre- 
sent atives. 
In 1867 he 
was elected 
to the senate where he served as chair- 
man of the committee on the education 
of deaf mutes. He was one of the trus- 
tees of the Massachusetts Soldiers' fund, 
and by his efforts three million dollars 
were distributed among Massachusetts 
soldiers and their families. In 1898 he 
delivered the first Decoration day address 
in Chelsea, at the dedication of the 
soldiers' monument. Mr. Fay has been 



68 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



general adjutant of the Massachusetts 
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to 
children since 1880. He has ever been 
interested in the humane care of children 
and is vice-president of the Children's 
home. He is chairman of the civil ser- 
vice commissioners of Chelsea, a member 
of the Masonic and Odd Fellows lodges, 
and an honorary member of the [St Mass. 
Regiment association and a companion 
of the Loyal Legion. 



Hon. John 

W.Fletcher. 



'The honor 
of being the 
seventh c - 
cupant of the 
m a yoralty 
chair was 
conferred up- 
on John Ware 
F 1 e tcher, a 
native of 
\ o r r i d ge- 
wock, Maine, 
where he was 
born April 
11, 1824. 
He was edu- 
cated in the 
town schools I 

a n d a t a n 
academy, his 
first business 
1 onnei tion 
being in his 
native place 
in a country 
store. In 
[844 he be- 
gan the dry 
go o d s and 

carpet trade in Bangor, and for ten years 
following 1851 he was engaged in the hay, 
n and flour commission trade in 
Boston, now devoting himself to a general 
real estate and insurance business. I lur- 
ing his residence in Maine, Mr. Fletcher 
was active in military m itters, holding the 
rank of lieutenant in the state aitillery. 
In the war of the rebellion he served in 
the signal corps, as senior captain in the 




HON. JOHN W. FLETCHER. 



36th United States colored troops, and 
was appointed lieutenant-colonel of the 
37th l\ S. C. T., but left the service 
before being commissioned. 

He is a member of the Grand Army 
and of the Military Order of the Loyal 
Legion. He is also a Mason of high 
degree. He has served as president of 
the common council, as alderman, presi- 
dent of the water board for three years 
and representative to the general court 

for two 
terms. Mr. 
F 1 e t c h er's 
first election 
as executive 
of the City 
of Che 1 s e a 
was for the 
year 1 S 7 1 , 
after a 
s o m e w h a t 
e x c i t i n g 
c a m paign, 
his majority 
r e a c h i n g 
517. During 
the years of 
his adminis- 
t r a t i o n , 
1X7 1 -2, the 
%: . high school 

was built at 
a cost of 
$68,000, 
M a v or 
Fletcher and 
the building 
c o m m i ttee 
confounding 
the prophets 
w ho had 
placed their 
estimates 
much higher. Many important street 
improvements were carried to completion 
at this time. ( 'ther events remembered 
by those who can recall the events of 
nearly three decades ago were the assassi- 
nation of Officer Wilbur, dedication of 
the Central church, erection of the Park 
Street Engine house, dedication of the 
1 ' Avenue baptist church and the 
great conflagration in Boston. Mayor 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



69 



Fletcher's second election was without 
opposition. He was first married to 
Elizabeth D., daughter of William and 
Julia Hyde of Portland, Me., a second 
marriage being with Mary G., daughter of 
John and Phebe Brown of Chelsea. 



ord in- 
to the 



Jay Cook Smith. 

One who styles himself a plain, 
ary citizen, and is ever enjoying 
fullest extent 
the comforts 
of his family 
fires ide, is 
J ay Cook 
Smith, who 
has been a 
res i lent of 
Chelsea since 
1874. He 
was born in 
Sandusk y, 
Ohio, J u n e 
6, 1844, a 
son of the 
n o w late 
Hon. Geo. 
W. Smith, at 
one time 
m ayor of 
Sand usky, 
and who hell 
in succession 
nearly all 
the elective 
and appoin- 
tive offices 
w i t h i n the 
gift of that 
city and the 
con 11 ty sur- 
rounding i t. 
T h e subject 
of this sketch was one of a family of 
three boys. He obtained his education 
in the public schools of his native city, 
and graduating from the high school at 
the age of eighteen, enlisted in the serv- 
ice, remaining until the close of the war 
and retiring a first lieutenant. In this, 
he followed an older brother who left 
college and enlisted at the first call for 
volunteers, and served during the entire 




Photo by Purdy & C< 



JAY COOK SMITH. 



war. His other and younger brother 
enlisted later, when only seventeen years 
of age. He contracted small pox and 
died in the service. Jay C. Smith enlisted 
as a private in the One Hundred and 
First Ohio, and saw continuous activity 
throughout the entire war. He took part 
in the important battles and hundreds of 
skirmishes in which his regiment engaged 
on its way from Louisville to Atlanta, 
including the time when Gen. Bragg 

threatened to 
cross the 
O h i o river 
t o m o v e - 
ments of the 
'■Army of the 
C u m b e r - 
land," on its 
way to Rich- 
rn o n d ; a t 
Perry ville, 
Stone River, 
Chi cam au- 
ga, Atlanta, 
Franklin and 
N a s h v i lie. 
His promo- 
t ion was 
r a p i d after 
enli stment. 
Besides r e - 
tiring a first 
lieutenant, he 
served about 
a v e a r a s 
aide-de- 
camp on the 
staff of Gen. 
Cruft. Mr. 
Smith came 
to Boston 
Jan. 1 . 1 867, 
and engaged 
as book-keeper for John Marston & Co.. 
a wholesale fish concern on Commercial 
wharf, in whose office he remained for 
fifteen years. At the end of that time, in 
1881, he engaged in the wholesale lob- 
ster business on Lewis wharf, removing 
to T wharf when the fish dealers adopted 
that location. Although an interested 
citizen of Chelsea, having resided here for 
a quarter of a century, the demands oi 



?o 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



Mr. Smith s business have been such that 
lie has been unable to devote any of his 
time to public affairs. He is a member 
of the G. A. R., first becoming enrolled in 
its membership in McMeans post, San- 
dusky. He has for some years been a 
member of Post 35 of Chelsea. He is a 
member of Chelsea Board of trade, a 
trustee of Chelsea Savings bank, and in 
politics a staunch Republican. He is 
deeply inter- 
ested in the 
p u b 1 i c 
schools, and 
two of his 
three sons 
have gradu- 
ated from 
them and 
now studying 
at Harvard 
college, with 
the third well 
on his wax- 
there. M r . 
Smith re- 
sides on 
Chestnut 
St r e e t, his 
help- me et 
1) e i n g a 
Boston girl 
whose ances- 
try dates 
back to the 
early settlers 
of that city. 
He is a man 

f domestic 
tastes and 
possesses 
talent w i t h 
the brush, 
and is somewhat of a connoisseur of art, 
the proof of which is apparent in his 

1 omfortable home. 

Justin S. Perkins. 




JUSTIN S. PERKINS. 



The largest hay and grain business in 
Chelsea or immediate vicinity is un- 
doubtedly that of Justin S. Perkins, whose 
wholesale and retail establishment is 
located near the Boston & Maine railroad 



station. He is a Maine man, born at 
South Dresden, Lincoln county, about 
fifty-three years ago, and comes of revo- 
lutionary ancestry, his grandfather, Robert 
Perkins, serving in the struggle for inde- 
pendence. The home farm at South I )res- 
den has remained in the family through 
the years of seven generations — back 
to the days of the great great grandfather 
of the subject of this sketch. In his boy- 
hood, school 
d a y s alter- 
nated w i t h 
times of labor 
on the farm. 
He came to 
Chelsea when 
twenty years 
old and fif- 
teen years 
ago b e g a n 
business for 
himself in a 
small way in 
h i s present 
line. Two 
carloads was 
at this stage 
of the busi- 
ness a large 
a m o init of 
goods to un- 
d e r take to 
handle. 
Some idea of 
t h e growth 
of patronage 
may lie ob- 
tained from 
the fact that 
an ave r a g e 
year's busi- 
ness will 
reach a point in excess of (50 cars. From 
the davs of the "small things," the enter- 
prise has never been other than a decided 
success, and in its present eminently satis- 
factory proportions it is safe to say that it 
is one of the largest of its kind in the entire 
state, outside of Boston. At the end of 
five years' business. Mr. Perkins had con- 
structed the immense storehouse con- 
nected with his store, a most substantial 
building and for which increasing de- 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



71 



mands of trade has given ample warrant. 
His storeage room includes the hay house 
of the Boston & Maine railroad, of which 
repository Mr. Perkins has charge. The 
capacity of this storage place is twenty- 
five carloads of oats and hay. The close 
association with the Boston & Maine 
business guarantees the very best possible 
in the way of receiving and shipping facil- 
ities and a spur track, for the exclusive 
use of this plant has been constructed. 
Mr. Perkins is second to none of the 
reside nts. of 
the city in mat- 
ters of public 
spirit and local 
pride. Spurn- 
ing the counsel- 
ling of the pes- 
simist, in many 
w a y s he has 
exerted his 
strong interest 
in behalf of 
Chelsea and in 
the most sub- 
stantial w ays 
has shown his 
complete con- 
fidence in her 
future prosper- 
ity. He h a s 
attained to the 
knight tem- 
plar rank in 
Masonry, being 
a member o f 
Palestine com- 
mander}', and 
is con nected 
with the board 
of trade. 




HON. EUGENE F. ENDICOTT 



Hon. Eugene F. Endicott. 

Eugene F. Endicott, who enjoys the 
distinction of being the first native of 
Chelsea to occupy the mayor's chair, was 
born October 14, 184S. He is a descend- 
ant of the earliest Massachusetts settlers, 
and his ancestors served in the Revolu- 
tionary war. His official life began in 
1880, when he was chosen to represent 
the upper ward in the city council for five 



consecutive years, the last three being its 
president. His thorough knowledge of 
municipal affairs, acquired by years of 
service in the city government, as well as 
his intelligence and high personal char- 
acter, were fitting requisites for the honors 
conferred upon him by his fellow citizens. 
In 1SS5 he was chosen for the mayor's 
chair. His far-sighted and dignified 
method of conducting the city's affairs 
was admired by all. He served two 
terms, and the result of his administration 
was seen in the 
vigorous 
growth of t h e 
city. The fire 
department was 
b r o u ght to a 
better condi- 
tion than for 
several years. 
The work of 
the water com- 
missioners had 
been most im- 
portant, and 
the results ob- 
tained affected 
Chelsea's citi- 
zens more fav- 
orably than any 
that had been 
brought about 
since the intro- 
duction of the 
Mystic water. 
Mr. Endicott 
has always been 
very much in- 
terested in ed- 
it c a t io nal af- 
fairs, and is chairman of the school board 
at the present time and a member of the 
school committee. 

Hon. A. D. Bosson. 




Although yet a young man, Albert D. 
Bosson, justice of the Police Court of 
Chelsea and formerly mayor of the city, is 
one of the foremost men in this locality. 
Born in Chelsea, November 8, 1853, he 
is descended from a long line of patriotic 
New England ancestry. His four great 
grandfathers served in the Revolution and 



7 2 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



his grandfather, John D. Bosson, one of 
the early settlers of Winnisimmet village 
took an active part in the War of 1S12. 
The subject of this sketch is the son of 
George C. and Jennie (Hood) Bosson 
At the age of fifteen he graduated from 
the Chelsea high school and entered 
Phillips- Exeter academy. After gradu- 
ating therefrom he attended Drown uni- 
versity, from which lie graduated with 
honors in the 
class of 1875. 
Three years 
later he re- 
c e i ved the 
degree of 
master of 
aits fro m 
that univer- 
sity . He 
c o mmenced 
the study of 
1 a w in the 
office of 
Brooks, Ball 
& Story, and 
soon a ft e r 
entered Bos- 
ton Univer- 
sity L a w 
school. After 
g r a d uating 
he was a d - 
mitted to the 
bar, Febru- 
ary IN. [878, 
and immed- 
iately com- 
mencing the 
pra ctice of 
his chosen 
]> r o f ession, 
w a s fortun- 
ately successful 
in a short time. 




HON. A. D. BOSSON 



in gaming a reputation 
I P has for Mime years 
been counted among the more talented 
members of the Suffolk County bar. I [e 
first had offices with Charles E. Grinnell, 
the able author of several legal textbooks, 
in the preparation of which, including the 
editorial work, as well as in that of the 
'•American Law Review," Mr. Bosson 
assisted. Like most lawyers, Judge Bos 
took part in politics early in life. 



becoming a member of the Republican 
Ward and City committees in 1882. In 
the first Cleveland campaign he became 
an independent Republican and one of 
the delegates at the national convention 
nominating Cleveland. He is an advo- 
cate of sound money and is a man loyal 
to his friends, and possesses the full 
strength of his convictions. Nominated 
for mayor of Chelsea in 1890, from the 

result of the 
subs equent 
election h e 
passes down 
in history as 
the 1 )emo- 
cratic mayor 
of the city. 
I lis adminis- 
tration was 
marked with 
efhci e n c y , 
m a n y i m - 
p o r t a n t 
m ensures 
being adopt- 
ed and im- 
p r o vements 
wrought. He 
handled the 
f i nances 
ably, and in 
d e m a nding 
and securing 
a strict en- 
forcement of 
the 1 i 1 1 u o r 
1 a w , estab- 
lished a pre- 
cedent which 
e n con raged 
the city to 
repeat t h e 
no-license vote in the succeeding elec- 
tions. He advocated and was instru- 
mental in securing the abolishment of 
grade crossings between Chelsea and 
Charlestown, the city bearing but a small 
portion of the expense. He was the first 
to recommend the improvement of Win- 
nisimmet square. He was a strong ad- 
vocate of the Metropolitan Park system, 
appearing before the legislative committee 
as an advocate of the establishment of the 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



73 



park commission. He strongly urged the 
taking of Revere Beach reservation, now 
such a desirable portion of the system, 
judge Bosson is the trustee of several 
large estates and is prominent in financial 
circles. He was one of the organizers of 
the Provident Co-operative bank and took 
an active part in the founding of the Win- 
nisimmet National bank of which he is 
vice-president. He was also one of the 
founders, 
and since its 
fo undation, 
president of 
the County 
Savings 
bank, which 
insti tution 
h as ever 
since its es- 
t a blishment 
a remarkably 
p r o s perous 
exis tence. 
He is presi- 
dent of the 
Gloucester & 
Rockport 
Street R. R. 
Co., an d 
holds other 
positions o f 
honor and 
trust. He 
is senior 
w a r den of 
St. Luke's 
church and 
one of the 
coun c i 1 of 
t h e Massa- 
chusetts 
E p i s c o pal 

club. He is a member of the Review club, 
the University club of Boston, the Massa- 
chusetts Reform club, New England His- 
toric Genealogical societv. In 1SS7 he 
was united in marriage with Miss Alice 
Lavinia Campbell, daughter of Hon. C. A. 
Campbell, and has two children, Camp- 
bell Bosson, born November i S, 1888, and 
Pauline Arlaud Bosson, born February 24, 
1894. He resides on Washington avenue 
and is a familiar figure in social circles. 



The Late J. A. McCann. 




THE LATE JAMES A. McCANN. 



The late James A. McCann was born 
in Boston, but was a life-long resident of 
Chelsea, coming here with his parents 
when but one year old and remaining till 
his death, which occurred December 1 7, 
1 89 1. The loss which the city sustained 
by reason of his untimely demise at the 
age of 39, has been acutely felt during the 

i n t ervening 
years. One 
of the lead- 
ers in every 
worthy e n - 
terprise and 
occasion f 
public spirit, 
h e was re- 
in o v e ( 1 in 
the fullest 
period of his 
success and 
i nf luenc e. 
He began 
h i s school 
life in the 
public insti- 
tutions of 
Chelsea, 
graduat i ng 
later from 
St. John's 
col lege, 
Ford ha m , 
N. Y. H e 
engaged in 
the real es- 
tate business 
in 1S73. His 
activity and 
energy m e t 
with remark- 
able success from the first. As a builder 
Mr. McCann was an expert, bold and 
aggressive, always relying upon his own 
genius : in truth, he was always far in 
advance of that conservatism which holds 
the pent up energy of willing enterprise 
in check : his indomitable will and de- 
sire for progression, together with his fine 
knowledge of his chosen profession, his 
sound judgment and executive ability, 
made him a valuable allv to organizations 



74 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



r 



of large financial liability. He was often 
deputed to appraise property outside of 
his native state, so reliable was his judg- 
ment in these matters. Among the many 
enterprises in this city which will live for- 
ever as a monument to his active life, is 
the Hotel St. James, on Broadway, which 
is conceded to be the most substantial and 
handsomest building in Chelsea. The 
Hotel Marlboro was the fruit of his 
genius, as was also the handsome block 
of brown stone dwellings on Congress 
Avenue, in the 
shadow of city 
hall : this block 
of houses was a 
revelation to the 
people of Chelsea 
in their architec- 
ture and internal 
fittings, and was 
the means of at- 
tracting to Chel- 
sea a class of peo- 
ple who are now 
our most substan- 
tial citizens. Mr. 
McCann also op- 
erated extensive- 
ly outside the 
city, laying out 
and developing 
two large sections 
of real estate in 
Revere. He was 
intimately associ- 
ated with the 
financial interests 
of the city, being 
one of the fore- 
most organizersof 
the County Sav- 
ings bank, of which he was a trustee, and 
of the Provident Co-operative bank, of 
which he was a director. Several years 
previous to his death, he opened an office 
in the Globe building, in boston, devot- 
ing a share of his time to the affairs of the 
tontine Life Insurance company, for 
which he acted as New England agent. 
In i S 7 6 he was united in marriage to 
Miss Catherine Josephine Linehan, of 
Lynn, Mass., who with seven children, 
survives. Since her husband's death, 



Mrs. McCann has most successfully con- 
ducted his business affairs. Mr. McCann 
was probably gifted with as keen a dis- 
crimination in the matter of real property 
values as anyone who has ever resided in 
Chelsea. His associations were with the 
progressive elements of the community, 
and a host of those who can recall his 
genial companionship and sound judg- 
ment will ever cherish his memory among 
those of the acquaintances that are not 
to be erased from the memory. 



Col. John H. 
Roberts. 



~\ 




COL. JOHN. H. ROBERTS 



A well-known 
resident of Chel- 
sea is Col. John 
H e m m e n w a y 
Roberts, who 
moved here in 
1865. He was 
born in Alfred, 
York Co., Me., 
October 8, 1831, 
of English ances- 
try and good old 
New E n g 1 a n < 1 
stock. After be- 
ing educated in 
the com m o n 
schools and acad- 
emy of Alfred, in 
1850. he came to 
Charlestow n, 
where he was en- 
gaged in the West 
India goods and 
foreign fruit busi- 
ness. Enlisting 
July, 1 86 1, he wis 
mustered into service as second lieutenant 
in Co. F, Eighth Maine Volunteers, the 
following August. In May, 1S62, he was 
promoted to tirst lieutenant and the fol- 
lowing August was made captain of the 
company. He went to the front, his 
regiment being assigned to the tirst brigade 
(Sherman's expediency corps), of the 
Army of the Potomac. He participated 
in the capture of Port Royal, Fort Sum- 
ter and Pulaski and Jacksonville. Janu- 
ary 1, 1864, by request of the governor 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



75 



of Maine, he was transferred to the Sec- 
ond Maine cavalry, then being organized, 
and was made captain of Co. M. Or- 
dered to New Orleans after the Red River 
campaign, he went to La Fonrche and 
Tesche counties to exterminate guerillas. 
The following July he was ordered to 
assist in the Siege of Mobile, when he was 
attached to First Brigade Cavalry, 19th 
Army corps, and from that until the close 
of the war, 
engag e d i n 
raids and 
scouting 
through West 
Florida and 
Southern 
Alabama. 
C a p t. Rob- 
erts captured 
large quanti- 
ties of cattle, 
horses, Con- 
federate 
army stores 
and supplies, 
a n d carried 
ema n c i p a - 
tion to the 
negroes in the 
section. 
Many impor- 
tant engage- 
ments took 
place there, 
in all of which 
he took part, 
including 
M i 1 ton, 
KuehreAnna, 
Mania n n a , 
Florida; Pol- 
lard, Big and 

Little Escambia rivers, Pino Barren Creek 
and French Fort, Alabama. In May, 1S64, 
Capt. Roberts was made inspector-general 
of the forces at New Orleans and later 
judge advocate general of the department, 
and served also in that capacity on a mil- 
itary commission the following January, 
at the trial of important criminal cases at 
Banancas, there being no state govern- 
ment there. After the close of the war he 
entered the state militia, in 1869. being 




RESIDENCE OF HON. J. C. LOUD. 



appointed adjutant, First Battery cavalry. 
In 1873 he was elected lieutenant colonel 
commanding, bringing his regiment to 
such a state of efficiency that at the Cen- 
tennial celebration of the Battle of Bunker 
Hill he was complimented by Cen Sher- 
man of the U. S. regular army, and Cen. 
Grant, then president, as having the first 
command outside the regular army in the 
Union. After the close of the war, Capt. 

Roberts r e - 
s u m e d h i s 
former busi- 
ness, but later 
connected 
himself with 
the Boston 
office of the 
Mutual Life 
Insurance 
co., where he 
is still en- 
gaged. H e 
has ever 
taken an 
active inter- 
est in the 
affairs of 
C h e 1 s e a , 
where he has 
resided f o r 
many years. 
He served in 
the board of 
aldermen in 
1S76 : repre- 
sentative to 
the legisla- 
ture in 1870. 
He has been 
at the head 
o f m a n y 
social or- 
ganizations, is a member of military order 
of the Loyal Legion, Union Veteran's 
Union (W. S. Hancock Command No. 1 ), 
and for three successive years, 1890-1-2, 
was elected department commander and 
in 1893 was unanimously elected com- 
mander-in-chief of the national com- 
mand of that organization. He is a 
past master of Robert Lash Lodge, past 
high priest Shekinah, R. A. C, and also 
a member of Unpthali council, Palestine 



7 6 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



com., K. 'I'., R. A. M. Col. Roberts has 
been twice married : first to Miss Louisa 
Southward of ( 'harlestown. by whom he 
had three children, namely : Lillian Louise, 
now Mis. A. J. Hayman of Brookline, 
Gertrude Abbie, and Martha E. B., now 
Mrs. II. W. Asbrand. His second mar- 
riage was in [868, in Chelsea, to Miss H. 
Edwina Phelps. 



Hon. John 
C. Loud. 




The twen- 
tieth mayor 
o f Chelsea 
was born in 
1' 1 y m outh, 
Me., in 1844. 
W h e n t h e 
c i v i 1 war 
broke out, he 
enlisted i n 
( lompany 1 1. 
j j n 1 Maine 
volu nteers, 
a t eighteen 
ye irs of age, 
a n '1 served 
until the 
close of the 
struggle. He 
w a s in the 
siege of Port 
Hudson and 
engaged i n 
man) other 
battles. After 
the war he 
attended an 
academy for 
six months, 
and later 
taught school in Etna, Me. In 1 S 75 he 
came to Chelsea, and in 1885 engaged in 
the bakery business. As a result of his 
excellent management, it grew to an im- 
mense business. His several stores are 
now owned by J. W. Swint. In public 
affairs, Mr. Loud has had practical and 
valuable experience. He served as coun- 
cilman in the early '80s, then four years 
in the board of aldermen. In [891-92 he 
was representative to the state legislature. 



HON. JOHN C. LOUD. 



During this time he had won by his zeal 
and never-tiring interest in the city's wel- 
fare, the love and esteem of his fellow- 
citizens, and in 1894 he was nominated 
as republican candidate for mayor. On 
Ian. 6, 1896, John C. Loud was invested 
with the power of mayoralty by Judge 
Bossom. His taking oath of office meant 
clean politics and no license for Chelsea. 
He did not favor the acts passed by the 

1 e g i slature, 
alio w i n g 
cities and 
towns to bor- 
r o w money 
beyond their 
d e b t limit, 
and in his 
inaugural 
address said. 
"special 
loans are to 
b e particu- 
larly avoid- 
ed." Good, 
sound judg- 
ment was the 
key-note of 
his admin- 
is tr a ti o n. 
\V h i 1 e in 
office, Wash- 
ington ave- 
n u e w a s 
w i d e n e d , 
f r o m the 
bridge to 
Car v a v e- 
n u e , t h e 
police signal 
service intro- 
duced, and a 
street water- 
ing plant established. The B. & M. R. R. 
were compelled to place signal gongs at 
Everett avenue, Spruce to West Third 
street crossings, and he also signed an 
order to compel the placing of electric 
wires underground. On June 1, 1S96, 
Mr. I.oud was forced to transfer the duties 
of his office to John T. Hadaway. presi- 
dent of the board of aldermen, on account 
of ill health, and at the end of his term 
decline. 1 re-electii m. 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



77 



Mr. Loud resides on County road with 
his wife and four sons. He is a member 
and official of the Bellingham M. E. 
church. He is prominent in secret 
society life, being a member of the 
Masons, Odd Fellows, the G. A. R., the 
Union Veteran's Union, the Royal Arca- 
num, the Ancient Order of United Work- 
men, and the Improved Order of Red 
Men. 



Samuel 

Orcutt. 




One of the 
note d men 
of Chelsea 
is Samuel 
I >r< utt. He 
was born in 
Boston, Feb. 
1 1, 1S13, but 
since 1842 
has been a 
valued resi- 
d e n t of 
Chelsea. Mr. 
Orcutt is of 
New E n g - 
1 a n d stock, 
a n d traces 
his ancestry 
back to the 
settlement of 
H i n g h a m 
and the in- 
c o r poration 
of the town 
of Cohasset. 
It was in this 
latter town, 
in the home 
of his grand- 
father, that he spent his boyhood days, 
here developing good morals and a rug- 
ged physique, and although a man whose 
energy has not allowed him to waste 
scarcely a day of his busy life, notwith- 
standing that he has long since passed 
the fourscore milestone, he is hale and 
hearty, possesses a clear eye, keen intel- 
lect and a wonderfully retentive memory. 
He obtained the limited amount of edu- 
cation received by boys of his time, and 



SAMUEL ORCUTT 



when fourteen years old apprenticed him- 
self to the machinist trade. After serving 
his apprenticeship, engaged in the busi- 
ness on his own account. In 1840, .Mr. 
Orcutt invented ami patented a card 
printing press, which was the earliest 
rapid printing press ever patented in the 
United States. It was called the Yankee 
Card Press, and although a hand press, 
was a great improvement on anything 

p r e v i o usly 
invented, 
gaining for 
i t s inventor 
an almost 
national rep- 
utation. They 
were manu- 
factured b y 
him in Court 
sq., Boston, 
and m a n y 
were put on 
the market. 
The follow- 
ing year, at 
the a n n u a 1 
exposition, a 
m e d a 1 was 
awarded him 
by the Mass. 
Char. Mec. 
a s s o c. In 
1844, Mr. 
Orcutt e n - 
gaged in the 
book busi- 
ness, on Win- 
nisimmet St., 
later remov- 
ing his store 
to the corner 
of Third st. 
and Broadway. Some twelve years ago 
he sold out and retired from active busi- 
ness. Mr. Orcutt has published a map 
of Chelsea, and has been identified with 
various public improvements. He repre- 
sented Chelsea in the legislature in 1856, 
and served on the board of selectmen 
before the city's incorporation. He has 
also served on the board of assessors. 
He has taken a great interest in educa- 
tional matters, and served as a member of 



78 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



the school board for fifteen years. He 
was a member of the prudential com- 
mittee during the building of the high 
school. While he has never sought nor 
accepted public office other than the 
above mentioned, he has ever been a 
Jacksonian democrat of the highest char- 
acter. Since its organization he has been 
one of the trustees of the Chelsea Savings 
bank, and enjoys the distinction of being 
the oldest 
and one of 
the original 
trustees. For 
m a n v years 
he has been 
connected 
with the Gar- 
denCemetery 
C o rporation 
as its secre- 
tary, and for 
the past six 
or eight years 
its treasurer. 
He has for 
m a n y years 
been a nieni- 
ber of the 
F. & A. M.. 
being first a 
m e m ber of 
t h e Star of 
Beth lehem 
1 o d g e, and 
later, one of 
the charter 
members and 
founders of 
the Robert 
Lash lodge. 
Mr. Orcutt's 
life has ever 




JOSEPH R. CARR 
Photo by Tardy & Co. 

been an active one and of use to his 
fellowmen. His activity at his age shows 
the results of a remarkable constitution 
and a carefully spent life. He is a mem- 
ber of the Alter Ego club, and although 
the oldest one is by no means the least 
popular. He has six children living, five 
daughters and one son. He has labored 
for several months during 1898 in perfect- 
ing a system for numbering the city streets, 
and will publish another map of Chelsea. 



Joseph R. Cam 

From long connection with the best 
interests of Chelsea, Jos. R. Carr is one 
of the familiar figures of the city. He 
was born in boston in 1S46, graduated 
from her public schools, studied engineer- 
ing with one of her prominent civil en- 
gineers. Mr. J. B. Henck, and after an 
experience of several years in the west. 

settled in 
Chelsea in 
1 S 6 7 . At 
this time the 
rapid growth 
of the city 
(1 e 111 a n d ed 
many costly 
i m p r v e - 
ments which 
required ex- 
pert skill in 
design and 
sup ervision. 
Accordingly, 
the office of 
city engineer 
was establish- 
ed, and Mr. 
Carr was 
elected to the 
office. F o r 
several years 
he was busily 
engaged in 
the work of 
revising 
grades, pav- 
ing streets 
and building 
sewers. As a 
result of this 
w ork the 
lower portion of Chelsea was changed from 
a country town to a modern city with 
appropriate improvements and surround- 
ings. Mr. Carr's services as an expert in 
his profession have been sought by many 
cities and corporations and he has a repu- 
tation as a safe and competent adviser. 
For nearly thirty years he has acted as 
agent for many estates and has to-day in 
his charge a long list of vacant lots suit- 
able for improvement. His extensive 



PARK COMMISSIONER. 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



79 



acquaintance with property is admitted 
by all, and his judgment of values has led 
to his selection as expert in real estate 
cases where he has invariably testified with 
credit to himself and advantage to his 
clients. During his long experience he 
has been concerned in some of the largest 
transactions in the city. Mr. Carr is a 
member of many local clubs and organi- 
zations, and is a member of the city park 
c o mmission- 
ers of which 
he is secre- 
tary. He is 
alsoa director 
of the Chelsea 
Board of 
trade and one 
of the trus- 
tees of the 
County Sav- 
ings bank. 
Mr. C a r r ' s 
sons are now 
engaged with 
him in his 
business, J. 
Lewis Carr 
having charge 
of his engin- 
eering work 
and Harry S. 
Carr of the 
real estate 
and insurance 
department. 



Hon. 
Thomas 
Strahan. 




T h o m a s 

Strahan was 

born in Scotland, May 10, 1847, the son 
of Thomas and Jean (Gordon) Strahan. 
Early in life he attended the public 
schools of Arlington, and graduated from 
Cotting academy, in that town, and at 
Phillips academy, Exeter, N. H. During 
his entire commercial career he has been 
connected with the wall paper industry, 
beginning in a small way on Cornhill, 
Boston, thence removing to Horticultural 
hall building and later to the corner of 



HON. THOMAS STRAHAN. 



Washington and Franklin streets. His 
salesroom is now on Park street, Boston, 
with a large factory in Chelsea. He was 
twice chosen president of the common 
council, was mayor in 'S3 and '84, and 
representative the following year. Mayor 
Strahan's first administration was indorsed 
at the polls with the emphatic majority of 
953 votes when nominated for re-election. 
Both his inaugural addresses were model 

documents of 
their kind, 
cont a i n i n g 
the most lum- 
inous finan- 
cial state- 
ments and 
recommenda- 
tions of pe- 
culiar worth. 
At this time 
the valuable 
real estate up- 
on which the 
B r o a d w a y 
school stands 
was acquired 
and the pres- 
ent e d ifice 
erected, the 
school system 
beingpledged 
and given the 
fullest sup- 
port on the 
part of the 
chief execu- 
tive. The 
last year of 
Mr. Strahan's 
i n c umbency 
was a particu- 
larly notable 
one in the city's history, being, beyond 
any doubt, the most prosperous for twenty 
vears. Working people were constantly 
employed, industries multiplied and were 
added to, the population increased some 
3500 and over one hundred new houses 
were built, besides the enlarged plant of 
the Revere Rubber company, replacing 
that shortly before destroyed by fire. He 
did much, also, for highway improvement. 
Mr. Strahan is an ardent temperance 



8o 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



man, and takes an active part in the 
campaigns which have repeatedly placed 
Chelsea in the column of municipalities 
which bar the licensed saloon, frequently 
presiding and speaking at no-license 
meetings. November z8, 1867, he was 
married to .Miss Esther Lawrence of this 
city. His beautiful residence on Belling- 
ham street is a most hospitable one and 
many notable social functions have oc- 
curred there. Me is a member of num- 
erous organizations, including the Odd 
Fellows and Masonic fraternities. In the 



one of the old standby* of Chelsea. He 
was born in Revere in 1S26, a son of 
Capt. James Green, his ancestors figuring 
among the first settlers of Revere. His 
father being a sea faring man, the subject 
of this article, when quite young, made 
a long voyage to South America and 
received his papers for a sailor's protection 
in 1X43. His first voyage was full of 
adventure, being shipwrecked three times, 
two of the vessels being lost and the third 
condemned. In 1849 young Green went 
to seek his fortune in California. In the 




RESIDENCE OF HON. THOS. STRAHAN, BELLINGHAM HILL. 



former he has attained high rank. For 
about a score of years he has been one of 
the trustees of the Chelsea Savings bank. 
He is also a trustee of the Fitz Public 
library and has served as chairman of the 
Chelsea school committee, lie is our of 
the most energetic and influential mem- 
bers of the Chelsea Hoard of trade ami its 
sea md president. 



Tames S. Green. 

From long residence and activity in 
business life, James S. Green is known as 



gold fields he was reasonably successful ; 
but although suffering the hardships en- 
countered by the "forty-niners,'' retained 
his health notwithstanding that he went 
across the Isthmus of Panama. On re- 
turning home he came to Chelsea and 
engaged in the stable business on Will- 
iams Street. His success in the livery 
business was sufficient to warrant his 
securing a permit for building the largest 
stable for miles around. As Chelsea was 
at that time (1853) but a village, his 
enterprise in putting up the large build- 
ing at the corner of Broadway and 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



81 



Second Street was considered a hazard- 
ous venture, more particularly as it was 
"so far away from the business centre," 
the business of the city at that time being 
confined to Winnisimmet Street, from 
Chelsea Square to the ferry. His fore- 
sight in apprehending the growth of the 
city was better than many gave him 
credit for, and the building after being 
used for a stable, and which an illustra- 
tion is given, was, some years later, re- 
modeled into a large block and since 
used for stores, offices and residence 
purposes, including several desirable 
tlats, one of which is occupied by Mr. 
Green, his handsome parlors at one time 
being the harness room of his large 
stable. The building is three stories, is 
62 by 1 20 feet in dimensions, and at the 
time it was built was the largest building 
in Chelsea. In 1869, when the building 
was remodeled, Mr. Green engaged in 
the real estate business, conducting the 
same in the office on the corner almost 
continuously until he sold out to George 
B. Guild in 1890. Since that time he has 
devoted his energies to looking after the 
block, which is one of the best- kept 
buildings in the vicinity of Boston. The 
event celebrated of the completion of the 
famous stable carried on by Mr. Green, 
will be loner remembered bv the older 



*&*#£ 









OLD STABLE OF J. S. GREEN, ERECTED 1853. 



JAMES S. GREEN. 

residents. A band of music and three 
large tables spread for a collation, with 
prominent speakers, including Col. Fay, 
were features of the " house-warming " 
given him by the citizens. Mr. Green 
has twice been to Cuba, and has been a 
hardworking man all his life. He is hale 
and hearty, and 
takes an interest 
in the welfare of 
the city. He is 
one of the origi- 
nal members of 
the Chelsea 
board of trade, 
and served in 
the city govern- 
ment two years. 
He is also a 
member of the 
Society of Cali- 
fornia Pioneers 
of New Eng- 
land. From his 
long residence 
and connection 
with the affairs 
of Chelsea he is 
well known. 



82 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



John H. Wilkinson. 

Chelsea's largest property holder and 
tax payer, John H. Wilkinson, was born 
in December, icSio, in North Berwick, 
Me., which town at that time was a part 
of Massachusetts. At ten years of age he 
left home, striking out for himself, not 
being contented to be dependent upon 
others for a livelihood. He engaged him- 
self to a Mr. Brown as an employee on a 
farm, where he worked earnestly and 
faithfully for seven years. His ambitions 



own account. Iking a young man of 
sterling integrity and sound judgment, 
and one upon whose word reliance was 
placed, his progress was rapid. At the 
time of the levelling of Fort Hill, Boston, 
the city sold many estates, Mr. Wilkinson 
being the shrewd and fortunate purchaser 
of several of them, and which laid the 
firm foundation of his transactions. In 
[868 he extended his operations by pur- 
chasing the Sears building, at that time 
one of the most prominent business build- 
ings in l>oston. This large structure he 





tar"- ™ 



i I i T[> U'tti [ i 




J. S. GREENS BUILDING, BROADWAY AND SECOND ST. 



prompting him to something higher and 
better, he went to Dover, N. H., and 
became an apprentice in the carpenter's 
trade, to which calling he devoted his 
untiring energy until he had attained his 
majority. His emolument was not lucra 
tive, fir he received at tint time but $30 
,. \ear and his living. Against the advice 
of his employer, who found in him a 
faithful and active workman, he went to 
Boston in 1843 to better himself. He 
immediately obtained employment and 
achieved such success that two years later 
he was enabled to begin business on his 



caused to be removed from the corner of 
Washington and Court streets to Chelsea, 
and has since been known as the Granite 
block, the largest of Chelsea business 
blocks, and located at the corner of 
Broadway and Fourth street. Mr. 
Wilkinson made Chelsea his home in 
1845, since which time he has done more 
towards the building up of the city than 
any man in its history. The structures 
put tip by him have been of substantial 
brick material, in which he thoroughly be- 
lieves. In his long residence in this city, 
his interest in its welfare has been demon- 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



83 




strated in all ways and times. 
He has served in both branches 
of the city government and was 
always renowned for his strict, 
impartial and conservative 
judgment. Today he is still 
active in looking after the 
interests of his tenants and is 
the largest resident taxpayer in 
die city. The interests of the 
city are as near to him now as 
ever. 



Eben H. Davis. 



JOHN H. WILKINSON. 
Photo by Purdy & Co. 



Eben H. 1 >avis was identified 
with Chelsea's school system 
for a period of thirteen years, 
being the third superintendent, 
and longest in office in the 
history of the city. He re- 
signed this position one year 
ago to take a much needed rest 
and engage in literary pursuits. 
He was born in Acton, this 
state, in 1840, was graduated 
from Kimball Union academy, 
Meriden, N. H., in 1857, and 
from Dartmouth college in the 




GRANITE BLOCK, OWNED BY JOHN H. WILKINSON. 



8 4 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



class of [861. IIim life work has been 
that of public school instruction. 'The first 
eight years after graduation from college 
were spent in teaching, the greater part 
of this time as principal of the Belmont 
High school. In 1879 ne was elected 
superintendent of schools in Nashua, X. 
H., out of more than thirty applicants, 
according to the report of the school 
committee for that year. He remained 
in Nashua but a little over one year, when 
he was elected to a similar position in 
Woburn, Mass., at an advanced salary. 
Here he remained thirteen years, resign- 
ing to accept the 
position in Chelsea, 
which had been 
offered him the year 
previous. While in 
Woburn he achieved 
considerable renown 
by his adoption of 
improved methods 
in primary school in- 
struction. The 
Thought method of 
teaching reading was 
soon acknowledged 
to be greatly in ad- 
vance of the methods 
heretofore in vogue, 
and the great suc- 
cess which followed 
its adoption attracted 
visiti us from every 
section to the schools 
of this city. During 
Mr. Davis' adminis- 
tration in Chelsea he 
was able to achieve 
his greatest success, and he gave to the 
schools a greater celebrity than he had 
previously given to those of Woburn. 
Ili^ >\st«an of instruction is still favorabl) 
known as the Chelsea system, and the 
schools in New York city are now 
becoming interested in it. Several prin- 
cipals visited Chelsea public schools 
while Mr. Davis was here, and made a 
lengthy report to their board of educa- 
tion on their return, — a most unusual cir- 
cumstance, and that report is bearing its 
fruit in several large schools there at the 
present time. The New York Journal of 




Education had this to say of Mr. Davis, 
among other things: "He has shown him- 
self to be a man of original ideas, with 
that practical turn of mind which enables 
him to successfully apply them. He has 
been called upon, from far and near, to 
exemplify his plan of work before teachers' 
conventions, state institutes, and sum- 
mer schools, and it may be truly said of 
him that few men have done more towards 
formulating and inaugurating improved 
methods of primary teaching. One of his 
strong points is the cultivation among 
little children of independence of thought 
and originality of 
expression ; and the 
work carried on in 
the schools under his 
charge excites won- 
der and surprise in 
the minds of the nu- 
merous visitors who 
frequent them at all 
times." Mr. Davis is 
the author of several 
school books which 
have had and are still 
having extensive use. 
His reputation as an 
educator has been 
justly attained and 
the progress of pupils 
in the many schools 
where his books a re- 
used is marked. 



Hermon W. Pratt. 



EBEN H. DAVIS. 



Ex-Mayor Hermon 

\W Pratt comes of a 
family the name of which is synonymous 
with the story of Chelsea and her doings 
for the last 250 years. In practically 
every phase of the town and city's life, 
some member of the family has taken a 
conspicuous and honorable part. His 
father, Caleb, was for a long period iden- 
tified with the local government, while his 
grandfather and great-grandfather were 
active in political affairs of an earlier day. 
and formed a portion of Chelsea's contri- 
bution to the struggle for American inde- 
pendence. The first of the family. Richard 
Pratt, came to Charlestown, Mass.. about 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



35 



1640, from Essex county. England. The 
first to appear at Winnisimmet was 
Thomas Pratt about 1 700, who was one 
of the founders of the church here. His 
son was Lt. Thomas Pratt, who occupied 
the house through the Revolution at which 
Washington visited during the siege of 
Boston, and which was demolished in 
1855. His son Daniel, the great-grand- 
father of the subject of this sketch, 
in a r r i e d 
Mary, sister 
of Governor 
John Brooks 
of Medford, 
a n d t h e 
property 
compris i n g 
t h e greater 
part of Pratt- 
v i 1 1 e has 
been pos- 
sessed until 
recent times 
by their 
descendants. 
Caleb, the 
grand -father 
of Mayor 
Pratt, mar- 
ried Mary, 
daughter of 
Robert Lash, 
whose mem- 
ory is perpet- 
uated by the 
Robert Lash 
lodge of 
¥ r eemasons 
of this city. 
Through his 
Pratt ances- 
try, Mr. Pratt Photo by Purdy " 
is a member of Old Suffolk chapter, Sons 
of the American Revolution, and of the 
Society of Colonial Wars in the Common- 
wealth of Massachusetts. Mr. Pratt was 
born in 1845 and attended the public 
schools, including those at the Pratt and 
Carter buildings. His school days over, 
he was employed by E. W. Wheelock, a 
Boston business man who made his resi- 
dence in Chelsea. From Mr. Wheelock's 
enterprise has grown the immense con- 




HON. HERMON W. PRATT. 



cern of Cumner, Jones & Co., with which 
establishment Mr. Pratt is still connected 
in a most responsible position. Yielding 
to the solicitations of friends, he entered 
political life in 1884, as a member of the 
common council from ward four, as for- 
merly defined, and was twice re-elected. 
This was followed by two years in the 
board of aldermen, some years elapsing 
between his second and third terms. His 

last election 
was fro m 
ward five, 
u n d e r the 
revised city 
charter in 

1896. After 
a lively con- 
test, he was 
the choice of 
the republi- 
cans for the 
mayoral t y , 
a n d t h e 
n o m i nation 
was so satis- 
factory that 
it was e n - 
dorsedbythe 
citizens' 
m o v ement, 
thus assuring 
Mr. Pratt of 
the election 
by a vote 
that proved 
to be practi- 
cally unani- 
m o u s. He 
was inaugu- 
rated Jan. 4, 

1897, and 
h i s address 

was one of the best ever delivered in the 
city on a like occasion. The details of 
Mr. Pratt's administration are too fresh in 
the mind to require detailing here. The 
worth of his efforts in Chelsea's interest, 
as valued by the citizens, was shown by 
the regret expressed on all sides by the 
announcement that his health absolutely 
forbade the re-election which was assured 
him. He was obliged to leave the city 
before the expiration of his term, and has 



86 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



recently returned from an extended tour 
of the western and southwestern parts of 
the country. He has a beautiful home 
on Franklin street, where he resides with 
his three children. 



J. W. Thayer. 



In this well-known resident, Chelsea 
possesses one of twenty-seven who have 
held the office of commander, Department 
of Mass. (1. A. K. in the historv of that 



and June 26 was sworn in a member of 
the company which had in the meantime 
been forming at Fort Warren. His father 
again tried to detain him, but was dis- 
suaded from so doing after having learned 
that his son had sworn he was eighteen 
years of age. He went with the twelfth 
Mass. volunteers, known as the Webster 
regiment, and was wounded at the battle 
of Fredericksburg, and from Dec. 13, 
1862, was confined to the hospital for 
four months. July 1, 1863, he was again 




RESIDENCE HON. HERMON W. PRATT. 



organization, Joseph Warren Thayer hav- 
ing filled that position in 1895. He was 
born in Boston, July 31, 1S44, was 
educated in the Boston and Cambridge 
public schools, and for the past forty years 
has been a resident of Chelsea. When 
the Civil war broke out he enlisted April 
19, 1861, in company II, the first leaving 
Chelsea. This being against the wishes 
of his father, the stern parent caused his 
name to be taken from the roll, as he was 
under seventeen years of age. A few weeks 
after, young Thayer ran away from home, 



wounded at Gettysburg, where he was 
taken prisoner and remained captive four 
days, when he was recaptured. from 
his wounds at this terrible battle he re- 
mained in the hospital twelve months, 
being discharged therefrom June 27, 1S64. 
After serving three years, nearly one-half 
of which time he spent in the hospital, he 
returned home in time to celebrate the 
twentieth anniversary of his birth. After 
the war he was for ten years a member of 
Chelsea's "finest," doing clever work, but 
was obliged to sever his connection with 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



the police department on account of his 
leg which was so seriously injured in the 
war. He immediately entered the serv- 
ice of the United States, first as a night 
inspector of customs, later as captain of 
night inspectors, and is at the present time, 
day inspector of customs attached to the 
port of Boston. He is a charter member 
and has filled all the offices of Theodore 
Winthrop post 35 of this city, being com- 
m a n der in 
1 S 8 8. In ! 
1889 he be- 
came a i d - 
de-camp on 
the staff of 
t h e depart- 
ment com- 
mander ; 
aid -de- 
camp on the 
staff of com- 
mander -in- 
chief Alger, 
now secre- 
tary of war, 
in 1890; 
d e p artment 
inspector i n 

1892 ; junior 
vice depart- 
in en t com- 
m a n d e r 

1 89 3 ; senior 
vice depart- 
in e 11 1 com- 
m a n d e r 

1894 ; a n d 
d e p artment 
command e r 
1895. At 
t h e present 
time he is 
chairman of the board of trustees of the 
soldiers' lots of Chelsea. He is a 
member of Robert Lash lodge, Masons ; 

Mystic lodge and Samaritan encamp- 
ment, I. O. O. F. ; Powhatan Tribe Red 
men ; Alferetta council, D. of P. ; Garfield 
lodge, American order of Fraternal Help- 
ers, being general grand sentinel of the 
last order. He is a member of the Grand 
Army club of Boston, and twenty-seven 
years ago started the charitable society of 



the Chelsea fire department, which now 
has $8,000 in its treasury. 



Marcus M. Merritt. 




J. W. THAYER, EX-DEPT. CO M M AIM DER G. A. R 



An eminently successful business man, 
with legions of warm personal friends, is 
Marcus M. Merritt. For several years he 
has been honored with positions of public 
trust, including membership in the com- 
mon council 
in 1879-80- 
81-82, alder- 
man in 1 89 1, 
and he repre- 
s e n t e d his 
district in the 
general court 
during the 
s e s s ions of 
'86, '92 and 
'94, being 
elected as a 
d e m o c r at, 
but bringing 
to his sup- 
port men of 
all political 
affiliati ons. 
Mr. Meiritt 
took an 
active part in 
the delibera- 
tions of the 
house, his 
influence be- 
ing potent in 
the abolition 
of the poll 
tax require- 
in e n t as a 
pre -requisite 
for v o t i ng. 
He also devoted considerable effort to the 
successful agitation for the doing away of 
the grade crossing on Chelsea bridge. At 
the recent hearing before a legislative 
committee, he presented convincing facts 
and figures against the proposed annexa- 
tion of the City to Boston. He is a native 
of Templeton, this state, and was studious 
in his educational course. His first busi- 
ness connection was with the chair mak- 
ing industry, but since his removal to 



88 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



Chelsea in 1S72, he has been engaged in 
the tobacco trade, his business being one 
of the largest in this section of the state. 
He is a director of the Chelsea board of 
trade! 



Jabez K. Montgomery. 

Through his connection with public 
affairs and by reason of large business 
interests, 
Jabez K . 
Montgomery 
has become 
know n 
through a s 
wide a ter- 
ritory as per- 
il a p s an y 
resident o f 
Chelsea. 
Despite his 
almost in- 
numera b 1 e 
cares, per- 
sonally he is 
e x t r e mely 
unassumi n g 
a n d a p - 
proa chable 
to all classes. 
Of his num- 
berless acts 
of kindness 
and charity 
m a n y can 
testify, and 
his keen 
c o mmercial 
sagacity has 
been freely 
extended to 
those per- 
plexed with the serious phases of business 
life. He has resided in Chelsea for over 
thirty years. Warren, Maine, is his birth- 
place, and in that town he began the 
acquisition of his thorough knowledge of 
shipbuilding, serving his time at the trade. 
The exigencies of the Civil war brought 
his skill into full use, and during those 
trying years he was employed at Portland, 
Me., with Mr. Howard, upon craft for the 
government, mainly gunboats. His busi- 




MARCUS M. MERR1TT 



ness in this city is conducted under the 
firm name of Montgomery & Howard, 
located at 37 Marginal street. The con- 
cern has built some of the large steam- 
ships, among them being three steamers 
for the old Colony Steamship company, 
City of Taunton, Fall River and Brockton, 
and also the Mayflower, Hingham, Miles 
Standish and others of the Nantasket line 
f or the Nantasket Beach Steamboat compa- 
ny and scores 
of pilot and 
other boats. 
The work 
t u r ned out 
is of the 
highest 
grade of 
.4 skill only, 

and the 
complete 
con f idence 
of the busi- 
ness world 
has bee n 
gained. The 
f i r m h a s 
also been 
most happy 
in its rela- 
tions to its 
e m p loyees, 
and labor 
d if fi culties 
are u n - 
known. At 
a time when 
a large force 
of help was 
engaged, the 
firm was the 
leader in the 
trade to 
adopt the nine-hour schedule. Mr. 
Montgomery has many other interests, 
among them being his active connection 
with the Winnisimmet company, which 
controls the ferry communication between 
Chelsea and boston. ( >f this concern he 
is president, holding a similar position 
with the Chelsea Gas Light company and 
the Frost hospital. He is a director of 
the First Ward National bank of East 
Boston, and of the Globe Gas Light 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



company. Mr. Montgomery, of neces- 
sity, has taken an interest in public affairs 
and while not an office-seeker, his serv- 
ices have been repeatedly demanded in 
the city government, being a member of 
the common council in 1S79-80, and an 
alderman for six successive years, begin- 
ning with 18S1, and is chairman of the 
park commission. No constituent, it may 
be safely said, was given cause to regret 
their choice. 
M r . Mont- 
gomery is a 
deraocr at, 
and has had 
the nomina- 
tion of his 
party for 
higher posi- 
tions, but the 
heavy ad- 
verse politi- 
cal strength 
could not be 
entirely 
o v e r c o me, 
though h i s 
sho wing at 
the polls was 
most credit- 
able, men of 
independent 
p r o c livities 
of all parties 
being a t - 
tracted to his 
support. 
The substan- 
t i a 1 New- 
England 
blood which 
Mr. Mont- 
gomery can photo by Pl,rdy - 
claim, has here one worthy its company. 




JABEZ K. MONTGOMERY. 



A. L. Howard. 



Mr. Howard is the elder member of 
the firm of Montgomery & Howard, the 
shipbuilding enterprise which has done so 
much to bring the repute of the city of 
Chelsea as a centre for the activities of 
the most skilled artisans, to the high plane 
which it now enjoys. His father was a 



well-known shipsmith and one of the best- 
known mechanics in his line. His home 
was at Warren, Me., and in that town the 
son was born. The location of his birth- 
place, at the head of navigation of the 
Georgia river, was an incentive to the 
young man to engage in the trade, and 
this added to his natural inclination in 
that direction. Mr. Howard has been a 
tireless worker and has left nothing undone 

that in its re- 
sults might 
add to the 
thoroughness 
of his knowl- 
edge of the 
details of his 
chosen voca- 
t i o n . It is 
safe to say 
that few men 
in New Eng- 
1 a n d a r e 
better in- 
formed than 
he in the 
various prac- 
tical aspects 
of shipbuild- 
ing . His 
energy and 
p o sitivenos 
have been a 
constant in- 
spiration t o 
emplo yees 
and all who 
h a v e been 
brought into 
contact with 
h i m i n a 
business way. 
Mr. Howard 
has made Chelsea his home for the last 
thirty years, and it is here that his suc- 
cesses have been won. He is correctly 
classed as a most substantial citizen, 
although, by nature, he is strongly inclined 
to retirement and the attractions of home. 
He is a member of the Review club, but 
takes practically no part in the doings of 
political or social organizations. He is 
very fond of driving and is an acknowl- 
edged expert in the way of judging 



9 o 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



horseflesh. He was one of the founders 
of the Hawthorne clnb stables, and is one 
of the few remaining of the original 
tweutv under whose auspices this enter- 
prise was inaugurated. His home is at 
the corner of Congress avenue and Shurt- 
leff street and is most attractive. Mr. 
Howard has devoted his life to a line of 
work which, more widely developed in 
this country, as the old sailing craft 
g ra d uall y 
gave way to 
those pro- 
pelled m e - 
c h a n i cally, 
might have 
resulted in an 
i m proved 
aspect of the 
industry in 
this country, 
which n o w, 
too often, 
suffers for the 
I) e 1 1 erment 
of similar 
enter prises 
across the 
water. H e 
has kept 
abreast of the 
times and is 
not lacking 
skill and 
judgment to 
put into exe- 
cution every 
development 
of the work 
in hand. 



. ... • 


; 




',1 






w 


\ 


43 ^ Sv »- 
« - 









A. L. HOWARD 



Hon. Samuel P. Tenney. 

Not to know Samuel P. Tenney is to 
argue one's self unknown to Chelsea or to 
her doings. When any proposed good 
and helpful deed demands a musing start 
by voice, pen, influence, or by that more 
_ible commodity, the purse, he is one 
ot those who can be depended upon for 
his full share of the effort, as the circum- 
■ es of the case may demand. Mr. 



Tenney is a lineal descendant of the 
Thomas Tenney, who, with his wife Ann, 
came from Rowley, England, to the 
Rowley of our own state in 1683. He is 
a native of the town of Barre, Mass., born 
December 6, 1838. He received a com- 
mon school education, including a course 
at the Eliot school, Boston. In 1853 he 
entered the employment of Henry Rice, 
stock, note and real estate broker, Boston, 

r e m a i n i ng 
two years 
and continu- 
ing later in 
the same line 
with Edmund 
M u n r o e . 
October 1, 
1856, he ac- 
cepted a po- 
sition w i t h 
Lawren ce, 
Stone & Co., 
selling agents 
for several 
manufact u r- 
ing compan- 
ies, including 
the New 
E n g 1 a n d 
Worsted 
c o m p a n y , 
after wards 
succeeded by 
t h e Saxon- 
ville mills and 
the Roxbury 
carpet com- 
pany. He 
has h a d 
charge of the 
b ookkeeping 
of the latter 
concern .for several years and to his thor- 
ough knowledge of clerical details adds 
the inherent qualifications of the success- 
ful man of business. He has been a 
justice of the peace and a notary public 
since the days of Gov. Washburn. He 
was 1 member of the common council for 
five years, an alderman for four years, and 
was chosen the twelfth mayor of the city 
in December. [880, and was re-elected 
the following year. His attention to the 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



9 1 



multifarious duties of his position was 
most strict and he was a true representa- 
tive of all classes in the community. His 
vote at the second election was a tremend- 
ous one. In his many acts of benevolence, 
Mr. Tenney has not forgotten the veteran 
soldier, to whom he is particularly warm- 
hearted. The Soldiers' Home was dedi- 
cated during his term of office and he 
has served for several years as one of the 
directors of that institution. Mr. Tenney 
is a member of organizations innumerable, 
social, frater- 
nal, political 
and commer- 
cial, a n d is 
active in t h e 
Central C o n - 
g r ega t i onal 
church, having 
served as clerk 
and as both 
chairman and 
treasurer of the 
p r u d e n t i a 1 
committee con- 
nected there- 
with. His long 
connection 
with the Board 
of water com- 
missioners has 
been produc- 
tive of much 
benefit to the 
city. The pres- 
e n t pumping 
stat ion, now 
one of the fin- 
est of Chelsea's 
public build- 
ings has been 

erected during his service as a member of 
the board, and the metropolitan system 
adopted. The creditable financial show- 
ing and remarkable record made by the 
commissioners in recent years sets a high 
standard for other and even much larger 
cities to follow. July 23, 1862, he was 
married in Chelsea to Miss Hannah Jane 
Sticknev of Andover. 




HON. SAMUEL P. TENNEY. 



Hon. George E. Mitchell. 

This well-known citizen whom history 



decreed to be the fifteenth mayor of 
Chelsea, was born in Cambridge, May 8, 
1844, and obtained his education in the 
public schools of that city and Somerville. 
AVhile scarcely eighteen years of age, he 
enlisted in the war of the rebellion as a 
member of company B, Fifth Mass. Vols. 
Infantry, serving in North [Carolina with 
credit to himself, and receiving an honor- 
able discharge at the expiration of his 
term of enlistment. In 1872 he engaged 
in the wholesale butter, cheese and egg 
business as 
senior member 
of the firm of 
Mitchell, Dex- 
ter & Co., now 
one of the 
largest in the 
line in New 
England. The 
firm has for 
twenty years 
been located at 
5 B 1 a ckstone 
street, Boston, 
and is a large 
c o m miss ion 
house, whose 
trade extends 
far over the 
United States. 
Mr. Mitchell 
made his debut 
in the city gov- 
e r n m e n t in 
1 8 78, serving 
as a member of 
the common 
council in that 
and the follow- 
ing year. In 
1880 his work in the council won him a 
seat in the aldermanic board, and being 
re-elected, he served in 1881 in that body 
as president. His record in the city gov- 
ernment was a clean one, and he made 
many firm friends by his efficient work 
for the city's interests. When nominated 
for mayor in 1887, his opponent was a 
strong personal friend, and the election 
was strongly contested. He was, how- 
ever, chosen, and the following year was 
honored with a unanimous re-nomination 



02 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



from all parties for a second term whirl) 
was duly ratified at the polls. While 
mayor, many important improvements 
were made in Chelsea. Prominent among 
these was the adoption of the high water 
service which included the building of the 
Powderhorn hill reservoir, the pumping 
station near the city hall, street lighting 
by electricity adopted and many of the 
principal streets macadamized. That he 
made an efficient and popular mayor is 
conceded on all sides. He became a 
m ember of 
T h e o d o r e 
Winthrop post, 
G. A. R., many 
years ago, and 
at present is a 
member of E. 
W. Kinsley 
]) o s t 113, 
G. A. R. He 
has been sec- 
retarv of the 
Fifth Regt. 
Mass. Veterans' 
association 
since its organ- 
ization after 
the war. He 
is a member of 
VV. S. Hancock 
c o m m a n d . 
Union Veter- 
ans' union, and 
the Boston 
c h a m ber of 
c o m m e r c e , 
h a v i n g f o r 
three y ea r s 
been a director 
a n d formerly 
\ 'u e president of the latter, lie is treas- 
urer of the R. S. Frost General hospital, 
president of the Review club, and a 
member of the executive board of the 
1 >av nursery. He is a member of Star of 
liethlehem lodge. 1'. \' A. .M.. Xapthali 
council, R. A., and Palestine & >mmandery 
Knight Templars, and Suffolk chapter 
Si his of American revolution, and the 
Mavors' club of Massachusetts, lie is 
now serving his fourth term of three years 
member of the board of water com- 



missioners, having been three years its 
president. He is a member of the pres- 
ent board of aldermen, from ward five, 
serving as chairman of the committee of 
finance. 



Tohn Howland Crandon. 




j Purdy. 



HON. GEORGE E. MITCHELL. 



The subject of this sketch, ex-alderman 
and present water commissioner, John 
Howland Crandon, was born in the old 
Pilgrim town of Plymouth, Mass., in 1835, 
being in direct 
lineal descent 
from Jo h n 
Howland and 
Governor 
B r a d f o r d , 
" M ay flower " 
Pilgrims w h 
landed at Ply- 
mouth in 1620. 
After graduat- 
ing from the 
high school in 
that town, he 
served appren- 
ticeship at the 
printers' art in 
the office of 
the Plymouth 
Rock, a weekly 
i on r nal, and 
was stea d i ly 
advanced to 
the reportorial 
a n d edit" >i ial 
s t a i'f. Th e 
first twenty- 
five or thirty 
years of his life 
were passed in 
the old town, being identified with its 
local societies and organizations, when, 
near the close of the rebellion, he re- 
moved with his family to Chelsea, Mass.. 
where he has since resided. Mr. Cran- 
don was for a year or two employed in 
the office of the Telegraph and Pioneer, 
then accepted a situation in the Mudge 
& Sons' printing office in Boston, and 
later was. for fourteen years, on the edi 
torial staff of the Boston Commercial 
Bulletin, six years on the Daily Advertiser, 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



93 



and several years one of the owners, pub- 
lishers and editors of the Manufacturers' 
Gazette. As a lecturer, he acquired a 
good reputation, having addressed boards 
of trade and commercial organizations in 
many cities and towns in New England, 
Grand Army Posts, literary and social 
clubs, and has filled the offices of vice- 
president, president and orator of the 
Chelsea Review club. He is a member 
of Robert Lash lodge of Masons, Sheki- 
nah chapter and Palestine commanderv, 
Knights Tem- 
plar, Mystic 
lodge, I. O. O. 
F., Sons of the 
American Re- 
volution a n d 
Society of Co- 
lonial Wars in 
the Common- 
wealth of Mass- 
achusetts. As 
a city official 
he has served 
continuously in 
some depart- 
ment for nearly 
twenty years, 
two in the old 
common coun- 
cil, two in the 
board of alder- 
men (one as 
president), and 
is now serving 
his fifth term 
of three years 
each as a water 
c o m missioner 
(one as chair- 

v v t-> • Photo by Purdy. 

man ) . During 

his long connection with this branch of 
the public service, the high water service 
was constructed in 1886-7, an ^ the new 
Metropolitan Water system was introduced 
in 1S97-8. Mr. Crandon took the initia- 
tory steps to organize a board of trade in 
Chelsea, addressing a large public meet- 
ing in the Academy of Music, setting 
forth the many advantages to be derived 
by organized effort on the part of business 
men, which resulted successfully, and he 
was elected its first secretary and is now 



one of the vice-presidents. He is still 
active and prominent in everything per- 
taining to the welfare, growth and devel- 
opment of the city of his adoption he 
loves so well. 



Robert I. Davis, D. M. D. 




JOHN HOWLAND CRANDON. 



Among the younger professional men 
earning a well deserved reputation, is Dr. 
Robert I. Davis, who practices dentistry 
in finely equipped offices in the Chelsea 
Savings Bank 
building. H e 
is a son of 
Eben H. Davis, 
recent superin- 
tendent of 
Chelsea public 
schools, a n d 
was born in 
Watertown in 
1874. He re- 
ceived his early 
training in the 
public schools 
of Woburn and 
Chelsea, his 
father remov- 
ing to this city 
when he was 
quite young. 
He further pur- 
sued his edu- 
cation by re- 
ceiving special 
instruction for 
several years 
under private 
tutors. While 
attending the 
Chelsea gram- 
mar school he received additional in- 
struction at the North Bennet Industrial 
school, as a member of a class honored 
by receiving free tuition by especial invi- 
tation. He, later, attended the Cam- 
bridge Manual Training school, from 
which he graduated in the class of 1S94. 
His course of instruction there embraced 
studies in science and mathematics, and 
his private instruction, that of science 
with Latin, French and German. In 
earlv life he manifested a mechanical 



94 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



aptness and 
genius which 
he extensive- 
ly cultivated. 
His inclina- 
tions in this 
direction led 
h i in to 
choose den- 
tistry for a 
p r o f e ssion. 
In 1894 he 
successf u 1 1 y 
|i a s sed the 
examinations 
for entrance 
to the Har- 
vard Medical 
school, the 
s t u dies the 
first year of 
t h e dental 
depart 111 e n t 
consisting of 
that of the 
m e d i c a 1 . 
Every year, 
d u r i n g his 
course of study, he 
tions, including that 



exami ners, 

w i t h o u t a 
single condi- 
tion. The 
thorough 

training 
w h i c h the 
H a r v a r d 
1 )ental Col- 
lege affords, 
is recognized 
the world 
over, a n d 
there, any 
one in sym- 
pathy w i t h 
his profession 
is thoroughly 
trained for 
the m o s t 
skilful prac- 
tice of den- 
tistry in all 
the most im- 
proved meth- 
ods, as well 
as being im- 
bued with a 

passed all examina- complete knowledge of the surgery of the 
of the state board of head and mouth. Entering upon his pro- 




DR. ROBERT I. DAVIS. 




INTERIOR OFFICE OF DR. DAVIS. 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



95 



4t> 



fession in Chelsea, where he has a wide 
and favorable acquaintance, he has been 
unusually successful, his large practice and 
reputation already built up, being acqui- 
sitions rarely secured by young dentists of 
the present day. From his natural skill 
and thorough knowledge of his profession, 
he has a brilliant future before him. 

George H. Buck. 

A truly representative citizen of Chelsea 
is George H. 
Buck, whose 
long connec- 
t i o n with 
business i n - 
terests a n d 
public affair.-, 
has m a d e 
him an im- 
portant factor 
in the com- 
munity. He 
was born 
March 31, 
1843, i n 
Bucks port, 
Maine, b u t 
w h e n quite 
young, his 
parents r e - 
m o v e d to 
Chelsea. He 
was educated 
in Chelsea 
public 
schools and 
during 1859- 
60, attended 
Chauncy- 
Hall I" school, 
Boston. 
Shortly after 
obtaining his education, the civil war 
broke out, and enlisting in company G, 
40th Mass. volunteers infantry, he served 
from 1862 to the close of the rebellion. 
In 1867 he engaged in the lumber busi- 
ness with his brother, as a member of the 
large concern of T. H. Buck & Co., in 
which firm he continued until 189 1, when 
he sold his interest an 1 became proprietor 
of the Eastern Storage warehouse, one of 
the largest of its kind for the storage of 




GEORGE H. BUCK 



goods in Boston or vicinity. Besides the 
buildings of almost unlimited capacity 
which are safely protected and carefully 
looked after, there are large yards for the 
storage of lumber. The establishment 
is on Everett avenue, joins the tracks of 
the eastern division of the Boston & Maine 
railroad, and comprises one of the most 
important business concerns of Chelsea. 
Mr. Buck has taken his full share in public 
affairs and has been several times honored 

with political 
pre ferment. 
He served 
four years in 
the city gov- 
ernment, 
being a mem- 
ber of both 
branches o f 
the council. 
He has been 
--'^jS&w-v also a mem- 

ber of the 
board of park 
c o mmission- 
ers, and dur- 
ing 1893-94 
represen ted 
the 26th 
Suffolk dis- 
trict in the 
Massac hu- 
setts house of 
repr esenta- 
tives. As a 
legislator 
he added 
strength t o 
that body, 
and his serv- 
ice included 
m e mbership 
on the committees on liquor law and 
probate insolvency in 1893, and house 
chairman of the former committee in the 
following year. Mr. Buck has been 
interested in local banks as director, and 
has done much towards improving Chelsea 
real estate. He was one of the charter 
members of the Chelsea Board of trade, 
and being one of its originators, has been 
a zealous worker in furthering all com- 
mendable enterprises benefitting the com- 



96 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



munitv. 1 [e resides on Chestnut street in 
one of Chelsea's comfortable residences. 



George B. Guild. 

One of the most familiar figures in real 
estate circles is George B. Guild, treas- 
urer of the Chelsea Board of trade, and a 
man whose interest in the city is identical 
with that of his own business. He is a 
native < > f 
New Hamp- 
shire and is 
of old conti- 
nental stock. 
His resi- 
dence in 
Chelsea, 
comprising a 
period of 
twenty- f i ve 
years, has 
been marjeed 
w i t h a n 
active and 
s u c c e s sful 
business 
career. For 
fifteen years 
Mr. Guild 
was engaged 
in the gro- 
cery busi- 
ness, his 
store being 
one of the 
largest and 
best patron- 
ized in this 
city. When 
h e bought 
out the busi- 
ness of Jas. 
S. Green, in one of the oldest real estate 
offices, corner of Broadway and Second 
street, he was therefore no stranger to the 
property owner and the tenement :->eeker. 
Succeeding to the business and good will 
of his predecessor, which as now con- 
ducted is largely increased, his office is 
one of the busiest in the city, being one 
of the longest established real estate agen- 
cies, and having from its start ever been 
endowed with reliability, a large amount 




GEORGE B. GUILD, 

IER CHELSEA BOARD OF 



of property owned by non-residents is 
committed to its care. Like all success- 
ful real estate men, Mr. Guild is an inde- 
fatigable worker and one whose capacity 
for business is seemingly unlimited. He 
has the renting, care and sale of much 
Chelsea property, and possessing sound 
judgment and keen foresight, is an 
authority on real estate values. He is 
agent for several large fire insurance com- 
panies and is 
president of 
the local 
board of 
i n s u r a n ce 
under w r i t - 
e r s, also a 
trus tee of 
County Sav- 
i n g s bank. 
Mr. Guild is 
a member of 
the Review 
club, Sons of 
the Ameri- 
can Revolu- 
tion and the 
Star of Beth- 
lehem lodge, 
F. & A. M. 
His interest 
and activity 
in the Chel- 
sea Board of 
trade date 
back to its 
formation, he 
being one of 
i t s original 
members. 
He has never 
found time 
for f i lli ng 
public office, but has several times been 
urged to accept honors in that direction. 



Tohn M. Mason. 



One of the busiest places in the entire 
City of Chelsea is the machine shop and 
brass foundry of John M. Mason, which is 
located on Webster avenue. The sale- 
room is at Si Haverhill street, Boston, 
where a large stock of machinery is kept 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



97 



on hand. Mr. Mason's services are called 
upon for engines of almost every conceiv- 
able purpose, and a list of the uses to 
which the rising 700 machines that 
have been turned out at this factory 
would make interesting reading. Mr. 
Mason has undoubted natural mechanical 
ability and designs all his own produc- 
tions. His machinery has had the widest 
distribution and has ever been found 
equal to all 
reasonable 
d e m ands. 
Besides man- 
ufacturing, 
second-hand 
goods are 
dealt in and 
a line of this 
class can be 
found at the 
salesroom on 
H a v e r h i 1 1 
street. The 
brass foundry 
is that for- 
merly owned 
by the Bedall 
Manufactur- 
ing company. 
Mr. Mason is 
now propri- 
etor of the 
business and 
plant a n d 
since acquir- 
ing control 
has made a 
marked i n - 
crease in the 
number of 
hands em- 
ployed and 
in the vol- 
ume of output. His business career for 
himself dates from the year 1872, over 
seven years of which period have been 
spent at the present location. He is a 
native of Newton, spent his early life in 
Billerica and learned his trade in the 
most thorough manner at a machine shop 
in Lowell, where over 1,100 men were 
employed. He is a war veteran, having 
enlisted in the navy and serving for four- 



- 



JOHN M. MASON 



teen months, most of which time he was 
stationed at Charleston, S. C. He is 
particularly interested in the work of the 
Grand Army, and is a past commander of 
Theodore Winthrop post, 35, of Chelsea. 
He is also connected with the Masons, 
Red Men, Sons of Veterans and other 
organizations. During his thirty-two 
years' residence in Chelsea, Mr. Mason 
has always been interested in affairs of the 

public weal 
and repre- 
sented his 
ward in the 
c o m m o n 
council in 
the years of 
1888-9. Up 
to last year, 
he was for 
fifteen years 
continuously 
connected 
with the re- 
pub 1 i c a n 
ward and city 
committees, 
six of which 
he served as 
chairman of 
the ward 2 
committee. 
Mr. Mason 
as an em- 
ployerismost 
considerate 
to the con- 
s i d e r a b 1 e 
force of help 
w h i c h his 
growing busi- 
nessdemands 
and is, with- 
al, a worthy 
specimen of a type of business men of 
which no community can have too many. 



Hon. George H. Carter. 

A progressive man is Hon. George H. 
Carter, president of the Chelsea Board of 
trade. He was born in this city May 5, 
1859. He is of inter-colonial ancestry, 
antecedents on both sides having served 



9« 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



in the revolution, his grandfather, Simon 
Cromwell, in the war of 1812, and his 
father, Horace Carter, died in defence of 
our country in the war of 186 1-5. He 
was educated in the public schools of this 
city, from which he graduated in 1874. 
He began his mercantile career as a boy 
in the Boston office of the D. L. Slade Co., 
with which concern he has ever since 
been associated. Starting at the foot of 
the ladder he 
earned pro- 
motion until 
he became 
one of the 
directors of 
the corpora- 
t i o n . In 
1889, he was 
married t o 
Lillian B., 
daughter of 
theRev.L.B. 
Bates, D.D., 
and a sister 
of Hon. John 
L . Bates, 
speaker of 
the Massa- 
chusetts 
house of rep- 
resentatives. 
Hisresidence 
is at 65 Bell- 
i n g h a m 
street. Mr. 
Carter h a s 
been several 
times elected 
to office dur- 
ing his pub- 
lic career, 
always d e - president chelse 

monstrating 

his fitness for filling the offices of honor 
and trust conferred upon him. He 
served two years in each branch of the 
city government, during all of which time 
he was a member of the important com- 
mittee of finance. When he became 
republican nominee for mayor in 1894, 
his popularity was still further demon- 
strated at the polls by his election by a 
large majority. Mis administration the 




HON. GEORGE H. CARTER, 



following year was characterized by the 
introduction of several important reforms 
and public improvements. The city 
charter was revised and the lower branch 
of the city government was abolished. A 
strict enforcement of the liquor law was 
also carried out, his attitude in opposition 
to the saloon having always been out- 
spoken, and the Chelsea Board of trade 
was organized, of which he is now presi- 

dent. I n 
1895, ne re ~ 
ceived the 
nominat ion 
for re-elec- 
tion on both 
the republi- 
can and citi- 
zens ticket ; 
in the cau- 
cus of the 
former their 
being not a 
d i s sen ting 
voice in the 
1571 votes 
cast. It is 
needless to 
say that he 
was returned 
to the may- 
or ' s chair. 
He retired 
from the of- 
fice after 
h a v i n g ac- 
complished 
many things 
of lasting 
benefit to the 
citizens and 
taxpayers of 

BOARD OF TRADE Chelsea. AS 

president of 

the board of trade, Mr. Carter has still 
further materially assisted in developing 
local interests. He is prominently iden- 
tified with several societies. Besides 
being active in church work, he has 
served as a director of the V. M. C. A., 
of which he was president in 1897-8. A 
young man and thoroughly self made, he 
has achieved an enviable position in the 
business and social world. 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



99 



The Late Thomas Green. 



Mayor Green was the ninth executive 
of Chelsea. He came from the best New 
England stock and was in the fifth gener- 
ation on his father's side from an ancestor 
who came from England in the beginning 
of the eighteenth century. Charlestown 
was selected as a residence place, and 
William Green, the grandfather, was a 
sufferer at the burning of the town by the 
B r i t ish, de- 
signed to cover 
the movement 
on Bunker Hill. 
The maternal 
great grand- 
father, Inger- 
soll, was also a 
loser at that 
time. Thomas 
Green was 
born on Sheafe 
street, Boston, 
July 13, 1822. 
H e attended 
the primary 
and Eliot 
g r a m m a r 
schools, leav- 
ing the high 
school at the 
age of four- 
teen to enter a 
store on Long 
wharf, now 
State street. 
He worked 
here as a clerk 
for eight years 
and in 1844 he 
became a 

member of the firm of S. G. Bowdlear & 
Co., which was then formed. Taking up 
his residence in Chelsea, Mr. Green 
served in the common council for two 
years. He was mayor in 1876 and de- 
clined a re-election. His acceptance of 
the office for this single term was in 
response to the urgent demand of citizens 
of all parties for a progressive and upright 
head of city affairs, and this demand was 
fully met, Mayor Green's administration 
being recorded as one of the cleanest and 




THE LATE HON. THOMAS GREEN. 



ablest that has fallen to the portion of 
this city. He was a trustee of the city 
library and a member of the board of 
education, where he did much valuable 
labor. His business integrity and fore- 
sight was recognized by a seat in the 
board of government of the Boston Com- 
mercial exchange. Mr. Green was active 
in the work of the Methodist church, and 
none more devotedly followed its polity, 
ritual and hymnology. For two years he 
was president 
of the Metho- 
dist Social un- 
ion and a di- 
rector of the 
Methodist His- 
torical society. 
In 1847, he 
married Anna 
Elizabeth 
Marden, who, 
with five chil- 
dren survives 
him. His 
home life was 
most beautiful 
and his great- 
est delight was 
in the associa- 
tion of the 
family circle. 
Although n o t 
favored w i t h 
extended edu- 
cational advan- 
tages w h i 1 e 
young, he was 
a wide and dis- 
criminatin g 
reader and the 
range and thor- 
oughness of the information at his com- 
mand was little short of marvellous. 
Although gifted with the earnest of long 
life, Mr. Green was brought to his death 
by an overtaxing of his vitality and, after 
a short illness, passed away April 22, 
1887. His funeral was attended by 
representatives of numerous organizations 
with which he had been connected, city 
government officials and by business men 
of Chelsea and Boston, besides friends 
who desired to show a token of regard. 



IOO 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



His was a life replete with good deeds — 
a proof of the sincerity of his loyalty to 
his Master by love to his fellow-men. 



The Late Benjamin Dodge. 

One whose works in behalf of the city of 
Chelsea and his fellowmen will long be re- 
membered, is the late Benjamin Dodge. 
He was born in Gloucester, Mass., January 
6, 1810, the 
father of 1 — 
benjamin F. 
Dodge of 
this city. 
Removing to 
Chelsea i n 
June, 1840, 
he was ap- 
pointed post- 
master, which 
o ffic e he 
filled w i t h 
that strict 
C n scion s- 
ness of duty 
that w a s 
characteris- 
tic of men of 
the old 
s c h o o 1 . 
When Chel- 
sea became 
incorporated 
as a city in 
1858, he was 
a member of 
the first city 
government. 
1 1 e took a 
deep interest 
in the educa- 
tion of the 

young. lie became a member of the 
school committee in 1859, and was for 
twenty years connected with the board of 
overseer's of the poor, serving as member 
of that board from 1871-76 and its secre- 
tary from 1876-91. Naturally kind and 
sympathetic, his service in this depart- 
ment of the city was characterized by a 
wise and discriminating judgment in the 
city's interests as well as for these unfor- 
tunates who were brought in relations with 



him. In politics, during his residence in 
Chelsea, he was ever active. He was one 
of the original members of the Free Soil 
part\ r and was prominent in the formation 
and organization of the republican party 
of this city and state. His decease, De- 
cember 31, 1 89 1, removed from Chelsea 
one widely esteemed for his generositv, 
sterling integrity and worth. His kind- 
ness to those in distress will long be 

remembered 
by many resi- 
de n t s of 
Chelsea. 




THE LATE BENJAMIN DODGE. 



The tie- 
cease of I )r. 
William ( \ . 
Wheeler re- 
moved from 
Chelsea one 
of the most 
distinguished 
of Massachu- 
setts physi- 
cians. 1 1 e 
w as bo r n 
August 3, 
1821, at Co- 
lumbus. N .Y.. 
and was edu- 
cated at Fos- 
ter's private 
school and 
Senton acad- 
emy, Little 
Falls, N. Y. 
He com- 
menced the study of medicine in the office 
of his uncle, Dr. James Wheeler, at Little 
Falls, N. Y., accepting that opportunity 
in preference to the offer of his father to 
remove to Michigan and grow up with 
the then young West. His arduous de- 
votion to his studies was attended with 
strict self denial. When not a.t school, he 
served as his uncle's office boy. It was 
in 1840 that he first began the study of 
his chosen profession. He attended the 



The Late 

William G. 

Wheeler, 

M.D. 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



Geneva Medical college now a part of the 
Syracuse University College of medicine, 
from which he graduated in 1845. He 
immediately commenced practicing in 
Little Falls but after remaining there 
three years, removed to Chelsea, where 
he continued in his profession a full half- 
century — a record equalled by few in the 
the history of this country. The begin- 
ning of his professional life found Dr. 
Wheeler 



with the in- 
debtedness 
incurred by 
the assistance 
of his moth- 
er's brother, 
which he re- 
paid before 
being mar- 
ried.. Be- 
sides being a 
physician of 
note and a 
surgeon o f 
great skill, he 
in te rested 
himself in all 
things where 
the welfare 
o f Chelsea 
and his fel- 
lowmen were 
concerned. 
He was one 
of the coterie 
of old citi- 
zenswhose la- 
bors brought 
credit a n d 
honor to the 
city . His 

face was as familiar and his services as 
readily rendered in the homes of the most 
humble as in the most influential. He 
served as both town and city physician, 
and was a member of the school commit- 
tee. He was one of the examining 
physicians, associated with Dr. Oliver 
Wendell Holmes, for the federal govern- 
ment during the late war. He was a 
valued member of the Episcopal church, 
American Medical association, fellow of 




THE LATE DR. WILLIAM G. WHEELER. 



the Massachusetts Medical society, mem- 
ber of the Boston Society for Medical im- 
provement, of the Boston Gynecological 
society, of the last of which he was presi- 
dent in the years 1875-6. He was vice- 
president of the Suffolk District Medical 
society in 1861. From 1888 until the 
time of his death, was an honorary mem- 
ber of the surgical staff' of the Lynn Hos- 
pital, and from 1S90, was consulting 

physician at 
the Soldier's 
home. D r . 
Wheeler was 
one of the 
promoters of 
the R.S.Frost 
hospital and 
a member of 
the staff of 
that institu- 
tion until his 
death. H e 
w a s thrice 
married : first 
to Mary C. 
W i 1 1 i a m s 
of Utica, N. 
Y., in 1850, 
who died in 
i860: mar- 
ried, second, 
i n Septem- 
ber, 1862, 
Mrs. Jennie 
C. Jones, of 
Roc h es t e r , 
N. Y., who 
d i e d i n 
Dece mber, 
18S5 ; mar- 
ried, third, 
M ay 10, 
1887, Mrs. Mary A. Crowell of Chelsea, 
Mass. His only son, Herbert Whipple 
Wheeler, resides and has large interests 
in Saline, Mich. Resolutions of the 
hospital medical staff, drawn up at the 
time of his death, embraced the following 
paragraph : " his cultured intellect, mod- 
est bearing, and genial companionship, 
commanded the regard of all who came 
in contact with him, and that his rare 
mental gifts, quick perception, logical 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 




ton, and continuing the same un- 
til June, 1897, a term of forty- 
seven years. In June, 1852, he 
married Sarah J. Bell, daughter 
of Edward Bell, of Boston, and 
made Chelsea his place of resi- 
dence, thus having been an eye 
witness to the growth and develop- 
ment of little Winnisimmet village 
to the now populous city of Chel- 
sea. His diligence, industry and 
integrity in business life have won 
for him many firm friends by 
whom he is highly esteemed. 



WHEELER BLOCK. 



powers and scientific inclinations admir- 
ably fitted him for his chosen profession. 

Vincent D. Lent. 



T. A. Ferrell. 

Prominently identified with 
Chelsea is J. A. Ferrell, who has 
resided in this city for nearly 
thirty-five years. He is a native 
of New Hampshire and was born 
about forty-seven years ago. He 
is of Scotch descent on the mater- 
nal side, his ancestors in this 
country dating back to 1652, to Alexander 
Cordon, who that year settled in Charles- 
town, and the year following went to 
Exeter, N. H. He is also a direct 



Morn in Cortland Town, Westchester 
county, X. Y., October 7, 1S22, Vincent 
1 ». Lent has been a resident of Chelsea 
for nearly half a century. He is of Hol- 
land Dutch descent, his ancestors leaving 
Amsterdam, May 1640, arriving on the 
Hudson river in August of that year, ami 
making a settlement at Peekskill, N. Y., 
called by the Indians, Soccoos. After 
securing their friendship, the settlers 
learned their language and purchased 
from them a large tract of land, a portion 
ot "which is still in the ownership of the 
Lent family, never having changed since 
purchased from the savages in 1642, and 
i^ still the old home of Mr. Lent. In 
March, 1846, he came to Boston to seek 
his fortune in the great Hub, among 
strangers who did not long remain such, 
but soon became kind and interested 
friends. In [849, Mr. Lent engaged in 
business on his own account and for him- 
self, locating in Haymarket square, Bos- 




Photo by Purdy, 



VINCENT D. LENT. 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



descendant of Captain Daniel Gordon of 
Epping, N. H., who served in the revolu- 
tion, and Samuel Robie Gordon, who was 
associated in business with the eminent 
Boston merchant, " Billie " Grey. His 
business operations have been carried on 
in Boston, where he is engaged in the 
wholesale dry goods business, his estab- 
lishment numbering 112 to 116 Chauncy 
street being the leading source of supply 
in New England for mill remnants, dry 
goods and seconds. His business which 
has grown to be a lucrative one was 
established in 1884. He receives his 
supplies direct from 
the mills in large 
quantities and at most 
advantageous rates, 
his trade comprising 
manufacturers whom 
he sells in large quan- 
tities, job lots to 
wholesalers and re- 
tailers, in quantities 
to suit, always at 
prices which cannot 
be duplicated. His 
store is located near 
the heart of the whole- 
sale dry goods dis- 
trict and his trade 
extends throughout 
New England and the 
Middle states. Mr. 
Ferrell is one of the 
best-known men in 
the city dry goods 
market, a n d one 
" whose word is as 
good as his note." 
Since becoming a resident of Chelsea, he 
has taken a strong interest in church 
matters, and is a prominent member of 
the Central Congregational church. 




Pholo by Purdy. 



J. A. FERRELL 



C. Henry Kimball. 



This well-known citizen was born in 
Barre, Mass., son of the late Chas. Kim- 
ball, known as the potato king, who came 
to Chelsea when the subject was about 
five years old. He obtained his educa- 
tion in Chelsea schools, and later became 
associated with his father in business, 



whom he succeeded at his death. In 
18S5, he originated an automatically 
heated car, which revolutionized the 
transportation of potatoes. In the con- 
struction of these cars, he associated him- 
self with Mr. Eastman, of Laconia, N. H., 
who developed his ideas. A company 
was formed for their manufacture in 
which Mr. Kimball was the promoter. 
Although the company started with but 
little capital, the venture was successful. 
Mr. Kimball finally sold out his interest 
and disposed of his produce business to 
Chas. Kimball & Co., who still conduct 
the latter. Since that 
time, Mr. Kimball has 
devoted his energies 
to the organizing of 
stock companies, the 
subject of which he 
has made a successful 
study. Perhaps few 
men have had more 
A experience in a 

greater number of 
stock companies than 
he. He has demonstra- 
ted the ability to solve 
the problem whereby 
the small stockholder 
may receive the con- 
sideration pro rata 
that is his due in the 
company in which he 
is interested. This 
has been not only to 
his own benefit, but 
that of the widows 
and orphans and small 
stockholders general- 
ly. He has found that this could be 
brought about, only, by drawing up a 
charter, the wording of which denies the 
right of the controlling stockholders to 
freeze out the smaller ones by issuing 
bonds, selling out at a seeming loss, and 
other tactics which, it is deplorable to 
say, are legally employed within the limits 
of our own staid Massachusetts law. 
Being the pioneer stock company organ- 
izer, where all investors are protected as 
they should be, Mr. Kimball has won 
much admiration from the investing pub- 
lic. For some time, he has been engaged 



104 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



in the electrical 
business, hav- 
ing assisted in 
the organiza- 
tion and pro- 
motion of the 
Van Choate 
Electric Co., 
whose large 
works are at 
Foxboro, Mass. 
This company 
claim to be the 
owners of the 
original legiti- 
mate patents 
governing the 
entire field of 
transmission in 
light and power 
of the systems 
in use in the 
present day ; 
also possessing 
a new method 
which embod- 
ies the inven- 
tion of a new 
unit, which excels the knowledge of elec- 
trical scientists ioo per cent. The com- 
pany was started without a dollar, and 
chartered under the laws of Maine, the 
corporation laws of which state, Mr. 




C. HENRY KIMBALL. 



Kimball claims 
are the fairest 
to stockholders 
of any state in 
the union. The 
company is 
now capitalized 
it $ 0,000,000, 
and there are 
2,000 stock- 
holders. The 
electrical plant 
at Foxboro is 
owned by the 
only electrical 
companywhere 
the smallest 
stockholder is 
insured the 
same rights as 
the largest. 
Mr. Kimball 
planned and 
built on Wash- 
ington avenue, 
one of Chel- 
sea's handsome 
residences. He 
is a member of the Review club, a Royal 
Arch Mason, and is also enrolled in the 
Knights of Honor. He is a member of 
the Order of Fraternal Helpers and the 
Boston Fruit and Pro luce exchange, the 




RESIDENCE PLANNED AND BUILT BY C. HENRY KIMBALL. 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



105 



last of which he was one of the organizers. 
In his study of corporations and their 
methods, Mr. Kimball has rendered an 
inestimable service to the general public, 
which as people become educated in 
investments, will be felt in years to come. 



A. J. Savage. 



Thirty years' residence in Chelsea, 
during which 
time he took 
an active part 
in church 
work, has 
made Andrew 
J. Savage a 
m a n highly 
esteemed. 
He was born 
in Woolwich, 
Maine, Feb- 
ruary 2,1834, 
the oldest of 
eleven chil- 
dren. When 
he was quite 
young his 
parents re- 
moved to 
Windsor , 
Ke nnebec 
county, where 
h e was af- 
forded t h e 
advantages of 
t h e district 
school of fifty 
years ago. 
When about 
eighteen, he 
went to sea, 
but after one 

voyage, became engineer of a stationary 
engine at Gardiner, Me. In 1855, he 
joined the steamship " Joseph Whitney," 
of the Boston & Baltimore line of the 
Merchants & Miners Trans. Co. With 
slight interruptions he remained in the 
service of this company for eighteen 
years, rising to the position of chief engi- 
neer of an ocean steamer after passing 
through the several grades. During the 
war, while engineer of the steamship S.R. 




ANDREW J. SAVAGE. 



Spaulding, his steamer was chartered and 
subsequently purchased by the government 
and transported General Butler and his 
staff, with baggage, from New Orleans to 
New York. Later, in 1864, the steamer 
was sent up the James river, under flag of 
truce, to City Point to exchange prisoners. 
The most exciting event which he 
remembers in connection with this serv- 
ice was in running the gauntlet of a 

masked bat- 
tery on the 
James river, 
having twen- 
ty-sevenshells 
shot at the 
ship at the 
close range of 
one quarter 
mile, where 
not a soul was 
hurt. In 
1865, Mr. 
Savage was 
transferred to 
the steamship 
George 
Apold, built 
to replace 
those char- 
tered by the 
gov e r n m e n t 
and finally re- 
sumed mak- 
i n g regular 
trips for the 
line, serving 
o n her as 
chief engineer 
for seven 
years. He 
a f t e rward s 
superintend- 
ed the building of the steamship Wm. 
Crane, a propellor of 1,500 tons, of which 
he was chief engineer. He remained in 
the service of the company until appointed 
United States local inspector of steam 
vessels, in 1873, by George S. Boutwell, 
secretary of the treasury. His valuable 
service to the government in the quarter 
of a century he has filled his present 
responsible position is fully recognized 
and appreciated, both by the government 



io6 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



and by the merchant marine. He als i 
holds the position of examiner in the use 
of steam for the state civil service com- 
mission. Having resided continuously in 
one house on Hawthorn street for twenty 
years, he has many happy remembrances 
of Chelsea and her people. He has been 
for twenty years a member of the Central 
Congregational church, serving almost 
continuously on its advisory board, clerk 
of the church 
for four years 
and deacon 
for five. He 
was connect- 
ed with the 
S u n d a y 
school as a 
teacher fo r 
fifteen years, 
assistant sup- 
erintenden t 
one year and 
super in ten - 
dent t w o 
years . H e 
has been 
vice- pr e s i - 
dent of the 
Winnisimmet 
Benev o 1 en t 
society for 
the last five 
years, is a 
member o f 
the Pilgrim 
fathers and 
su st a ining 
member o f 
the Y. M. C. 
A. He has 
an interest in 
all that per- 
tains to the good of Chelsea, especially on the 
no-license question. Much of his present 
good standing he attributes to his helpmeet, 
especially in the rearing, training and edu- 
cating of their children who have graduated 
with honors from the Chelsea High school, 
the son also graduating as a mechanical 
engineer from the Massachusetts Insti- 
tute of Technology and now superintend- 
ing engineer for the United Stales light 
house board, residing on Franklin avenue. 



Hen. Alfred C. Converse. 




HON. A. C. CONVERSE. 



The paternal ancestor of the Converse 
family in this country was probably no 
stranger to the present location of the 
city of Chelsea. Deacon Edward Con- 
vess, or Converse, was a member of the 
party that came in the fleet with Coventor 
Winthrop in 1630, receiving in the fol- 
lowing year a charter for the first ferry 

from Boston 
t o Charles- 
town. He 
was also 
prominent in 
the affairs of 
church and 
state, then so 
closely allied. 
The subject 
of this article 
was born in 
Rindge, N . 
H . , March 
1 7, 1S27, his 
father being 
a prosperous 
farmer who 
was also con- 
nected with 
the woolen 
i ndus t r y . 
Educated in 
the public 
schools and 
at New Ips- 
w i c h acad- 
emy, young 
C on v e r s e 
later taught 
school in his 
native town 
and in Town- 
send and Fitchburg, Mass., in the inter- 
vals of farming and working in the mill. 
In 1850, he removed to New York city 
and began work as a type founder. Four 
years later, his notable experiments in the 
then new art of electrotyping came to the 
attention of Phelps & Dalton, a leading 
Boston concern, and his services were 
successfully sought. As employee and 
partner, this relation continued until 
1892, when the valuable property and 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



107 



magnificent patronage was disposed of to 
the syndicate which now controls the 
entire American output of this character. 
For some time he was engaged in the 
manufacture of fire alarm machinery and 
is also largely interested at the present 
time in the reed chair industry. He is 
the owner of the celebrated Columbia 
Lithia spring at Revere. He is a repub- 
lican and held a seat in the common 
coun c i 1 in 
1877. He 
was chosen 
an alderman 
in 1889 and 
was re-elect- 
ed the follow- 
ing year. In 
1 8 9 1 , Mr. 
Converse was 
chosen may- 
or, his major- 
ity over Hon. 
D . Frank 
K i 111 b a 11 
reaching 762, 
a n d was 
given a see- 
on d t e r m 
by another 
flattering 
vote. During 
his adminis- 
tration i m - 
portant finan- 
cial measures 
of direct 
value to the 
city were put 
through, in- 
cluding the 
compul s o r y 
investment of 

the sinking fund in the municipality's 
bonds. Numerous street improvements 
and new sewers were projected and com- 
pleted and suitable legislation touching 
upon the question of electric car fenders 
provided for. Much of the agitation for 
the revision of the city charter occured at 
this time, and the desired reforms had a 
warm advocate in Mayor Converse. But 
the crowning triumph of the years was 
the successful pressing on the part of the 




city government, under the lead of the 
mayor, for an act of the legislature which 
should forever do away with the most 
threatening grade crossing on Chelsea 
bridge, this being accomplished against 
the opposition of the most potent ele- 
ments. Mr. Converse has long been 
identified with the First Congregational 
church and is a thorough temperance 
man. His business sagacity and his 

uprightness 
long demon- 
strated, h i s 
present 
standing fol- 
1 o w s as a 
matter of 
course. 



Hon. 
Arthur B. 
Champlin. 



HON. ARTHUR B. CHAMPLIN 



An ex-may- 
or of Chelsea 
and one who 
has had his 
full share of 
political hon- 
ors is Arthur 
B. Champlin. 
He is a native 
o f Chelsea, 
and for sev- 
eral years was 
the publisher 
of the Chel- 
sea Gazette. 
He began his 
public career 
in 1 S 7 8 , 
when elected 
to the com- 
mon council, in which body he served 
for seven years, the last two of which he 
was elected president, being the youngest 
man in the history of the city to fill that 
office. In the fall of 1887, he was elected 
to the state legislature, and served as a 
member and clerk on the committee on 
street railways. Being re-elected the fol- 
lowing year, he served as a member and 
clerk on the committee on towns. In 
188S, he was chosen mayor of Chelsea, his 



ioS 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



first term being endorsed by his re-election 
the year after. During his administration 
the city gained many important improve- 
ments : electric lights were introduced, 
several miles of sewer and water pipe and 
brick sidewalks were laid, police and fire 
departments re-organized and the tax 
rate lowered. While mayor, he was nom- 
inated and elected senator from the first 
Suffolk district, and upon taking his seat 
in the senate, 
wa s m a d e 
chairman of 
the commit- 
tee on liquor 
law, and a 
member of 
those on pub- 
lic charitable 
institu t i o n s 
a n d public 
service. He 
served two 
terms in the 
senate. Some 
few years 
since, he dis- 
posed of his 
interest in the 
( la/ette and 
has since 
been manager 
of theColum- 
b i a Li th i a 
spring at 
Revere where 
he now re- 
sid e s , also 
looking after 
the affairs <>f 
Hon. A. C. 
C on vers e . 
Mr. Champ- 

lin is a member of a large number of 
social and fraternal organizations, and 
while resi ling in Chelsea, was one of the 
trustees of the Walnut street M. E. church 
and a member of the Y. M. ('. A. 




Tin. to by I'nuly. 



JUDGE FRANK E. FITZ 



Judge Frank E. Fitz. 

A son of the late Hon. Eustice C. and 
Sarah Jane (Blanchard) Eitz is the sub- 
ject of this sketch. He was born at 



Cambridge, November 15, 1857. When 
he was quite young his father took up his 
residence in Chelsea. He was a man of 
large business interests and unbounded 
generosity and gave to the city the free 
public library known as the Fitz public 
library, of which an illustration is shown 
on a previous page and on another that of 
the donor. Young Frank graduated in 
the grammar and high schools of this 

city and 
a ft er wards 
attended 
and received 
the degree of 
A. 11. from 
Brown uni- 
versity in 
1880. Choos- 
ing the legal 
profession he 
attended the 
Boston Uni- 
versity Law 
school, a n d 
gr adu a t ed 
therefrom in 
1883. He 
was admitted 
to the bar 
the following 
month and 
commenced 
practice, hav- 
i n g gained 
much experi- 
ence, while 
attending law 
school, in the 
office of the 
well - known 
law firm of 
Hyde, Dick- 
inson & Howe. He soon became a 
familar figure in the courts and built up a 
practice which has grown to be a most 
lucrative one. His reputation as a suc- 
cessful corporation lawyer has been 
attained by the zealous manner in which 
he looks after the interests of his clients. 
He is retained on many large cases and 
his services are availed of principally in 
the higher courts. He was appointed 
special justice of the police court of 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



109 



Chelsea by Governor Russell and fre- 
quently presides over that court. Judge 
Fitz comes of good old New England 
stock, his ancestry being active in the 
war of 18 1 2, the American revolution and 
the early Indian wars. He is a member 
of the Review club and the college frater- 
nity known as the Delta Kappa Epsilon. 
He was married in November, 1884, to 
Adelaine Frances, daughter of David 
S 1 a d e , of 
Chelsea, and 
resides with 
his fa m i 1 y 
which in- 
cludes three 
boys on Clark 
avenue. His 
s u m m e r 
home is at 
Wakefield. 
In his relig- 
ious prefer- 
ment he is a 
Baptist. 



Charles G. 
Roberts. 




Through 
his long con- 
tinued busi- 
nessrelations, 
not only in 
Boston and 
New England 
but through- 
out a large 
section of the 
entire coun- 
try, Mr. Rob- 
erts has be- Photo by Pur.ly. 

come one of 

the best known men, in his line, in the 
United States. He was born in the town 
of Lyman, Me., in 1846, of revolutionary 
stock on both sides, his paternal grand- 
father having enlisted in 1774, when only 
twenty-one years old, and fought in the 
battle of Bunker Hill. His more remote 
ancestors came from England, and set- 
tled near Dover, New Hampshire, from 
whence Captain Jeremiah Roberts, his 
great-grandfather, removed to Lyman in 



CHARLES G. ROBERTS 



1778. The farm at the latter place is 
still in possession of members of the 
Roberts family, the house, now standing, 
being nearly 100 years old. Mr. Roberts 
received his education at both public and 
private schools, and when eighteen years 
of age determined to seek his fortune at 
the New England metropolis. Coming 
to Boston, he secured a position with the 
house of N. Boynton & Co., dealers in 

cotton duck. 
He remained 
with this con- 
cern for four 
year s , an d 
then became 
a salesman 
for the pro- 
d u c e an d 
com mission 
house of Ben- 
nett, Rand & 
Co., here be- 
ginning t h e 
acquisition of 
a thorough 
knowledge of 
the fruit and 
produce busi- 
ness, in which 
line he has 
been engaged 
ever since 
with success. 
He remained 
with Bennett, 
Rand & Co. 
for eleven 
years, leaving 
them to form 
the firm of 
Patch & Rob- 
erts in 1862, 
so continuing to the present time. No 
concern of its line stands higher in the 
estimation of the trade. Besides the 
large volume of business transacted en- 
tirely within this and adjoining states, the 
firm is a heavy receiver of butter, eggs 
and poultry from the west, and of pine- 
apples direct from the growers. Mr. 
Roberts has resided in Chelsea for twenty 
years, and has taken a lively interest in 
municipal affairs. He was elected to the 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



common council in 18S4, serving two 
terms in that body and three in the board 
of aldermen, carrying business methods 
into political life. He is one of the trus- 
tees of the Chelsea Savings bank and a 
prominent member of two of the business 
associations of Boston, which exert so 
potent an influence in almost every phase 
of public interest : — the Boston Chamber 
of commerce and the Boston Fruit and 
Produce ex- 
change. He 
was a charter 
member o f 
the latter or- 
ganization 
a n d served 
as vice-presi- 
d ent a n d 
president in 
1S91-2 re- 
spectively. 
The Fruit 
and Produce 
exchange has 
exerted a 
strong influ- 
ence in se- 
curing for 
Boston more 
adequate 
tran sporta- 
tion facilities 
between Bos- 
ton and the 
South a n d 
West. He is 
prominent in 
Masonic cir- 
cles, being a 
member o f 
Robert Lash 
lodge, Royal 

Ar<h chapter and Palestine commandcrv. 
He is a member of the Review club. In 
[873, he married Serena A. Morgan, 
of Surry, Maine, and has two children. 




Photo by Purdy. 



E. B. Putnam. 



This member of the Massachusetts dis- 
trict police was born in Putnamville, Jan- 
uary 23, [846, educated in the district 
and Holten high schools of Danvers. 



After serving one year at the printer's 
trade in the office of the old South Dan- 
vers Wizzard, he enlisted in Company F., 
23d Massachusetts volunteers, being then 
but sixteen years of age. He served 
thirty-eight months. After the close of 
the war, he went to southern Indiana, 
where for three years he was engaged in 
the jobbing boot and shoe trade. Later, 
he went to Ipswich and started the 

Ipswich Ad- 
vance, the 
first news- 
paper printed 
in that town. 
Some years 
after, he en- 
gaged in the 
job-printing 
business i n 
Bru n s w i c k , 
Maine, where 
he remained 
for two years. 
He then 
removed t o 
Danvers and 
began pu b - 
Hshing the 
Danvers Ad- 
vance. Sev- 
eral years ago 
he was the 
fortunate in- 
ventor of 
Putna m ' s 
Coin R o 1 - 
eaux, the best 
device for 
rapid putting 
up of coin, 
which is used 
extensive 1 y 
throughout the country. Mr. Putnam 
was first appointed a member of the Mas- 
sachusetts district police by Governor 
Greenhalge in 1894, being reappointed 
by Governor Wolcott, his district com- 
prising Norfolk and Plymouth counties. 
He married Eleanor R. Putnam, of Dan- 
vers, a prominent member of the Daugh- 
ters of the revolution and the present 
treasurer of the Winnisimmet chapter. 
He has one daughter. Edweena R. Putnam, 



B. PUTNAM. 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



the first member to receive her papers 
entitling her to membership in the junior 
auxiliary of the Daughters of the Revolu- 
tion in Chelsea. Mr. Putnam is a charter 
member of the W. S. Hancock command, 
and has held the office of deputy com- 
mander-in-chief in the Union Veterans 
union. He has resided in Chelsea for a 
score of years, and his home on Fremont 
avenue is one of the newer first-class 
houses of this city. 



Edward P. 
Lincoln. 



This resident 
of Chelsea is 
employed i n 
the Boston 
post-office and 
distingui shed 
from the fact 
that he is pres- 
ident of t h e 
national asso- 
ciation of post- 
office clerks 
of the United 
States, to which 
office he was 
elected Sept- 
ember, 1897. 
He was born in 
Bath, Maine, 
November n, 
1 86 1. When 
h e w a s four 
years old his 
parents re- 
moved to Chel- 
s e a . He, 
therefore, was 
educated in the public schools of this 
city, and with the exception of four years 
in infancy he has continuously resided 
here. He entered the postal service 
in 1 88 7, when he successfully passed the 
examinations, promptly received an ap- 
pointment and was assigned to duty in 
the registry division as a registry receiv- 
ing clerk in the Boston post-office. 
While it has now extended throughout 
the United States, his popularity among 
the postal clerks was first significantlv 



EDWARD P. LINCOLN 



shown by his election as treasurer of the 
Boston Postoffice Clerk's Mutual Benefit 
association, which organization he assist- 
ed materially in bringing to its present 
substantial standing. His creditable work 
for that association the following year 
won him the election as president, and in 
1896 he was re-elected without opposi- 
tion. At the convention of the national 
association of post-office clerks, held in 
St. Paul, September, 1895, he was dele- 
gate-at-1 a r g e 
represe n t i n g 
the Boston 
a s s o c i a tion. 
While attend- 
ing this con- 
vention he was 
unanim o u s 1 y 
elected treas- 
,*&ftjk I nrer of the 

jBtVWF national asso 

ciation of post- 
office clerks, 
which office he 
held for two 
yea r s . His 
strength as a 
candidate and 
the esteem in 
which he is 
held through- 
out the coun- 
try were duly 
shown w h e n 
he became 
nominated for 
president o f 
the association 
i n opposition 
t o Benjamin 
Parkhurst, his 
predecessor, who had held the office 
for five consecutive years. Mr. Lin- 
coln is profoundly interested in the 
organization in which he is the head 
and possessing sagacity as an organizer, 
is highly regarded by all who know 
him. He has for many years served 
on the ward and city committee in 
Chelsea. He is a prominent member 
of the New England order of Pilgrim 
Fathers and a past regent in the 
Roval Arcanum. 




CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



John G. Low. 



In Chelsea is the largest establishment 
in the world devoted to the manufacture 
of high-grade art tiles. The products of 
the Low Art Tile company, to which is 
referred, are the result of the labors of 
John G. Low, the founder of the enter- 
prise. Mr. Low laid an excellent foun- 
dation for his life work in the several 
years which 
he devoted 
to the study 
of painting in 
l'aris. Sev- 
eral years 
ago he re- 
alized the 
field for 
practical, yet 
artistic fictile 
goods, and 
in 1878, in 
association 
w i t h his 
father, John 
Low, found- 
ed in Chelsea 
the nucleus 
of the pres- 
ent concern. 
The great 
Philadelphia 
centenni a 1 
had then but 
recently 
closed, and 
a n interest 
h a d bee n 
a w akened 
t h e r e b y 
which gave 
this n e w 
effort an immediate acceptance. From 
the very beginning a new order of tiles 
has been produced and the Low goods 
are now known and recognized through- 
out the world as of the first merit. As 
early in the firm's career as 1880, prizes 
were received for the goods in England, 
over the competition of home workmen 
with years of prestige behind them. In 
I ranee and Spain, also, medals have been 
awarded, while in our own country these 




Phi ito by Purdy. 



JOHN G. LOW. 



goods are so far in the lead as to practi- 
cally monopolize the market. Former 
tiles have been made to seem crude by 
the great variety and attractiveness of 
these products, comprising as they do, 
such a multitude of shape, size and design. 
They are adapted to form parts of every- 
day goods, such as stoves, clocks, furni- 
ture, candle sticks, paper weights, ash 
trays, etc. In the construction of soda 

fountains, 
however, is 
the art seen 
at its best, 
the massive 
and beautiful 
panels form- 
ing designs 
long to be 
remembered. 
Here, as in 
every other 
use to which 
they are put, 
the ideas of 
artistic qual- 
ity has n t 
yielded t o 
sterling merit 
and both are 
equally ap- 
parent. John 
F. Low, son 
of the subject 
of this sketch 
is connected 
w i t h the 
works. Being 
an expert 
chemist, he 
has in charge 
the color 
department, 
where are prepared the beautiful tints and 
shades which appear in the multitude of 
Low tiles scattered throughout the world. 
Mr. Low is widely known in the business 
world and is held in high regard as a 
resident of Chelsea. The industry which 
he founded has not only brought interna- 
tional fame to this city, but has furnished 
regular employment to a large number of 
well-paid hands. He is a member of the 
board of park commissioners. 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



ll 3 



Hon. C. A, Campbell. 



This well-known citizen of Chelsea is 
the senior member of the firm of C. A. 
Campbell & Co., a concern which has 
done ranch to make the city important as 
a distributing point for the coal supply of 
this section of the country. The firm's 
wharves are most extensive, have a loca- 
tion of unsurpassed convenience, and are 
among the 
best in New 
England as 
regards the 
latest appli- 
ances for the 
handling of 
coal in im- 
mense quan- 
tities with 
as great des- 
patch as pos- 
sible. It is 
probable that 
the amount 
of coal annu- 
ally handled 
at the Camp- 
bell wharves 
i n Chelsea 
compares 
f a v o r a b 1 y 
with that of 
the largest 
concerns in 
the state. 
Like many 
other Chel- 
sea business 
m en, Mr. 
C a m p b e 1 1 
was born in 
Boston, that 
event occurring November 6th, 1837. 
When two years of age he removed to 
this city with his parents, and attended 
the public schools, completing his course 
by graduating from the high school. 
Attracted by the then little known west, 
Mr. Campbell, soon after school days, 
took up his residence in Chicago and 
engaged in the lumber trade, remaining 
there for four years. Returning to Chel- 
sea, he began the coal business in cora- 




HON. C. A. 
Photo by Purely, Toston. 



pany with his father, the location being 
the same as that he now occupies. Mr. 
Campbell was a leader in the stirring 
scenes incident to the sending of troops 
to the front in the early days of the civil 
war, and in 1S62 volunteered as one of 
100 young men from Chelsea who went 
to the front as company G, Fortieth 
Mass. volunteers — a part of the city's 
contribution to the defence of the union. 

He served in 
the army of 
the Potomac 
and in the 
D e partment 
of the South. 
Among the 
engagements 
in which he 
was a partic- 
ipant were 
the struggles 
about Charl- 
eston, S. C, 
and the cap- 
ture of the 
harbor a n d 
the fall of 
Fort Wagner, 
rising to 
sergeant, 
r egi m ental 
quarter -mas- 
ter sergeant 
and commis- 
sioned lieu- 
tenant. I n 
the early 
spring of 
1864, illness 
c o m p e 1 led 
him to return 
to the north. 
Recovering, he was commissioned by Gov. 
Andrew a captain for the recruiting ser- 
vice. He naturally takes a great inter- 
est in the welfare of veteran soldiers, is a 
member of the Military Order of the 
Loyal Legion and has been an officer of 
Theodore Winthrop post, G.A.R. Among 
his other fraternal connections are those 
with Robert Lash lodge of Masons, and 
Winnisimmet lodge, I. O. O. F. Mr. 
Campbell has been a Republican from 



CAMPBELL. 



' 14 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



the very birth of the party, and was a 
member of the common council from 
1868 to 1872, and an alderman in 1873 
and 1875. In 1883 he was chosen to the 
upper branch of the state legislature from 
a district that had previously been strongly 
democratic. He is prominent in the 
Review club, of which he is an ex-presi- 
dent, and is one of the trustees of the 
Fitz Public library. He is vice-president 
of the County Savings bank, and one of 
the directors of the First National bank, 
Winnisimmet company, Metropolitan Coal 



and has two children: Mrs. Albert I). 

Bosson and a son, Jeremiah Campbell, 

who is associated with his father in 
business. 



The Chelsea Gas Light Company. 

both the gas and electric lighting of 
this city, and a portion of Everett known 
as Mt. Washington, are provided by the 
service of the Chelsea (das bight com- 
pany. The gas works, since noticeably 
enlarged and improved, were built in 




RESIDENCE OF HON. C. A. CAMPBELL. 



company, Chelsea Y. M. C. A., and holds 
many other positions of honor and trust. 
His interest in public affairs has always 
been that of a business man who has 
made an undoubted success of his own 
private affairs : and the common service 
has always been the gainer by his giving 
his time to its welfare. In April, 1S98, 
he sold to the government the steamship 
Sterling for transporting troops and am- 
munition in the war with Spain. Mr. 
Campbell was united in marriage in Jan- 
uary, [861, to Miss Lavinia Hutchinson, 



1852 when the present company was 
organized. In 1S89 the Chelsea fran- 
chise of the Citizens Electric Light com- 
pany of East Boston was purchased, since 
when the company has furnished electric 
lighl and power as well. The plant. 
which includes the gas works and electric 
light station, occupies the full square 
bounded by Williams, Auburn. Spru< e 
and Cypress streets. besides the retort 
house, purifying house, and coal sheds of 
seemingly endless capacity, there are two 
gas holders with a combined capacity of 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



1 1; 




n6 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 




\*ii% 



w 



1 ' \> 




CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



117 



250,000 feet. Pure coal gas is made and 
there are about 2,000 consumers. The 
company have laid in this city thirty-eight 
miles of pipe, and in the past eighteen 
years the price has been gradually reduced 
from S3. 00 to Si. 50 per thousand net. 
The electric light department of the com- 
pany is equipped with the most modern 
dynamos and generators, including seven 
fifty arc dynamos, one 1,300 light T. H. 
alternating current incandescent dynamo, 
and one of 650 ; one Westinghouse of 
1,000 and one Stanley of 400. For sup- 



superior quality to that used in larger 
cities. It is produced at greater cost, 
contains less poisonous ingredients, has 
more body and more lasting burning 
qualities. Through this company, there- 
fore, Chelsea people are furnished with 
light as cheap in proportion to the quality 
of the gas as in any city in the country. 
The office is in the Academy of Music 
block, Winnisimmet square, where they 
have handsomely fitted up counting rooms 
and where there are exhibited fine speci- 
mens of gas stoves, sold to the consumers 




rftitfi 



ELECTRIC LIGHTING STATION, CHELSEA GASLIGHT CO. 



plying motive power for stores and fac- 
tories, the company is especially well 
equipped with generators. For this pur- 
pose there are at their station : one T. H. 
500 volt, 100 h. p., one Westinghouse 
500 volt, 100 h. p., one General Electric 
500 volt, 400 h. p. The company sup- 
plies about 250 arc lights to the city, and 
has a capacity for furnishing 3,350 incan- 
descent lights. The management is now 
controlled by Chelsea men. and its policy 
has ever been a fair minded and progress- 
ive one. It is a known fact that the gas 
dispensed by this company is of a much 



at their actual cost. The company's cap- 
ital stock is 5300,000. The officers are : 
J. K. Montgomery, president : A. D. 
Bosson, vice-president ; George W. Moses, 
treasurer and general manager. These 
three, with Francis Low and Thos. Martin, 
comprise the board of directors. The 
company employ from thirty-five to forty 
men, F. H. Chapel being superintendent 
of the electric department, and H. H. 
Kellev of the gas department. At the 
counting room are employed, David J. 
Coburn, chief clerk, and Thos. B. Wilder, 
assistant clerk. 



riX 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 







CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



American Circular Loom Company. 



This concern adds distinction to Chel- 
sea, as it is the only one manufacturing 
flexible tubing for encasing electric wire 
in the world. The corporation now con- 
ducts a busy plant, and furnishes employ- 
ment to sixty hands. It was founded in 
1889, and the present factory, since 
greatly improved and noticeably enlarged, 
has been occupied for the past five years. 
A >i\ty h. p. boiler and fifty h. p. engine 
are required to furnish motive power. 
The product of the factory is an improved 



and that in modern buildings the material 
is considered both desirable and neces- 
sary. The conduit made by this company 
has a great advantage, in its flexibility, 
over tubes previously furnished for the 
purpose, which were of the rigid type and 
necessarily connected at short intervals 
by metal sleeves and moulded, rigid 
elbows. By the use of the flexible tube, 
these objectionable and inconvenient 
joints are entirely done away with, and 
its flexibility allows of bends at any radius, 
at the will of the constructor. The con- 
duit is made of a spiral of the best insu- 




FACTORY, AMERICAN CIRCULAR LOOM CO., MARGINAL ST. 



appliance for electric wiring, the good 
results accomplished having brought the 
material into universal favor among arch- 
itects and builders the country over. The 
latest catalogue issued by the company 
presents illustrations of several of the 
largest and most costly of American build- 
ings, and a list of a thousand and more 
leading hotels, apartment houses, theatres, 
business blocks, schools, churches, hospi- 
tals, residences, yachts and steamers, all 
of which have been fitted with the material 
made by this company, showing that the 
concern has won a national reputation, 



lating fibre, wound with heavy para rubber 
friction tape : over this is a continuous 
woven jacket of cotton, similar to that in 
use in the ordinary hose, but with much 
finer stitch, giving it the quality of strong 
canvas. The tube is saturated with insu- 
lating compound, care being taken that 
none shall touch the inside fibre, leaving 
the inside smooth and hard. Then, after 
being rolled in powered mica, a flexible, 
waterproof and fireproof tube is produced. 
The tube is finished in lengths most suited 
for convenient use, and in different inside 
diameters. A lead covered tube is also 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



made by this company for underground 
and submarine work. The goods are 
both approved and specified by the Un- 
derwriters International Electrical Associ- 
ation. The growth of the business is 
steadily increasing, and the company is 



the Boston Electroduct company. In the 
manufacture of the flexible tube, between 
eight and nine million feet of tubing were 
produced at the Chelsea factory during 
1897. The officers of the company are : 
A. T. Clark, treasurer, Newton Centre ; 









1 ■?-<-* 
ri 13 r 1 




1 11 



u_ l if - 



~> 




HOTEL LORRAINE, PHILADELPHIA. 

EQUIPPED WITH FLEXIBLE TUBE BY AMERICAN CIRCULAR LOOM CO 



J. S. Wilson, manufacturer, Chelsea, and 
H. H. Brooks, manager, West Medford. 



about to start a branch plant at Beaver 

Falls, Pa., for the manufacture of an 

enamelled metal electric conduit, the best 

known combination produced for running 

electric wires in fireproof buildings. This 

company has offices in New York and ( )n the subject of wall paper, much can 

Chicago, and are also selling agents for be said to the credit of Chelsea who 



Trios. Strahan & Co. 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 




WALL PAPER FACTORY, THOS. STRAHAN & CO. 




INTERIOR THOS. STRAHAN & CO.S FACTORY 

SHOWING TWELVE COLOH PRINTING MACHINE. 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



123 



proudly boasts of possessing, in the above 
concern, the only factory in New England 
making fine goods for the interior deco- 
ration of the modern building. The 
factory was started in Chelsea in 18S5 in 
a small way by Thus. Strahan, and its 
product first was intended only for the 
retail store of the firm on Part street, 
Boston. The first location of the plant 
was on Marginal street, where the small 
factory first occupied soon became too 
small to meet requirements. Twelve 
years ago the present factory, shown in 
the accompanying engraving, the dimen- 
sions of which are 300 by 50 feet, was 
erected, and as soon as completed was 
moved into. The factory possesses good 
shipping facilities — a spur track from the 
main line of the B. & M. R. R. adjoining 
the property. The factory is fitted for 
the manufacture of the highest class of 
goods, and the concern ranks with the 
best in the world in its line. In the 
matter of shipment abroad, the firm adds 
credit to American skill, as their goods 
are extensively used in Germany, the 
home of the wall paper industry, that 
nation being among the first to make wall 
paper, the amount of wall paper made in 
Germany being of a more sombre color- 
ing. The goods of the concern are used 
throughout the United States for the 
largest and most costly buildings, also in 
this country. The White House at Wash- 
ington, the Vanderbilt houses and a large 
majority of the highest class hotels and 
resiliences are adorned with the product 
of the factory here in Chelsea. It is felt 
that no little distinction is hereby gained 
through the artistic emanations of the 
above firm. The factory in which is still 
used the old method of hand printing, on 
heavy designs, is fitted with the latest 
improved machinery, many of the ma- 
chines in use there being from ideas 
advanced by Mr. Strahan, whose reputa- 
tion for taste and progressiveness in his 
line of manufacturing is second to none 
in this country or probably in Europe. 
The possibilities and capacities of some 
of the machines in the factory are almost 
astounding. One printing machine in 
particular, shown in appended illustration, 
which is one of the largest of the kind in 



the country, prints twelve colors at one 
impression and has a capacity for printing 
5,000 rolls daily, thereby taking the place 
of a large number of workmen under the 
old process. While this would seem to 
be a disadvantage to the workmen, it is 
stated on good authority that there are 
now many times more men employed in 
the wall paper factories of the country 
than before the advent of these wonderful 
machines, while goods are turned out 
within the reach of the purchasing public. 
Previously, when the same were made by 
hand, only the very wealthy were able to 
buy the grades of wall paper now pur- 
chased by those of even limited means. 
That the factory here in Chelsea does its 
full share would seem evident to anyone 
who visits the busy plant. Mr. Strahan 
has for many years made this city his 
home, being prominent in all affairs con- 
cerning the welfare of Chelsea, serving as 
mayor and residing in one of the finest of 
Boston suburban homes on Bellingham 
hill. The plant, which has increased 
largely in the past few years through his 
energy and business ability, has a capacity 
of 30,000 rolls of wall paper daily. In 
presenting designs to the trade, they are 
usually in the lead, keeping up with the 
yearly changes in patterns, designs and 
styles. Wall papers are here made in all 
the high grades, including satins, silks, 
embossed goods and velvets, etc. The 
concern is represented on the Pacific 
slope and in the South, and has perma- 
nent offices in Boston, New York, Chicago 
and Frankfort-on-the-Main, Germany. 



T. Martin & Bro. 



Both Thomas and William Martin are 
closely identified with the great develop- 
ment of the elastic fabric industry in the 
United States, the business in which they 
are associated having grown from the 
stage where twelve hands were employed 
to the requiring of the steady services of 
nearly 400 persons, with five mills in 
Chelsea, one at Mansfield, Ohio, and for- 
merly conducted another in Canada. The 
concern is now incorporated. Thomas 
Martin is a native of Leicestershire, Eng- 
land, and was apprenticed to his trade at 



124 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



,<» 



HM 



■ 



ft, 



A 




THOMAS MARTIN. 

an early age, and when twenty three years 
old was engaged by an American syndicate 
to manage a mill at Easthamp- 
ton, Mass., then the only one of 
its kind in the country. After 
three years he came to Chel- 
sea in a similar position and 
began business for himself nine 
years later. He was for seven 
years president of the First 
National bank, and is presi- 
dent and one of the founders 
of the Provident Co-operative 
bank, a trustee of the Chelsea 
Savings bank, vice-president of 
the Frost hospital, and was 
formerly a trustee of Pates 
college, Lewiston, Me. Ik- 
has been a councilman and 
an alderman several terms and 
was a member of the legisla- 
ture in 1883. The Horace 
Memorial, now used as a place 
of worship by Chelsea Free 
Baptists, was erected by Mr. 
Martin in memory of his eldest 
son. who died in the springof 
1885. William Martin came 
to America at the same time 
as did his brother, and has 



resided in Chelsea since 1866, coming 
here as an expert to manage the wea\ ing 
department of the Poston Elastic Fabric 
company. He is a member of the 
present board of aldermen, is active in 
the board of trade, and one of the trus- 
tees of the Chelsea Savings bank. He 
is eminent commander Palestine Com. 
K. 'P., past high priest R. A. C. of the 
Shekinah, and past thrice illustrious 
master of Napthali council. The 
Martin products are sent throughout the 
world, the goods including cotton, silk, 
suspender, garter and truss webbing. 
The output is in excess of 10,000,000 
yards of web yearly. A general store 
is maintained at 108 Worth street, New 
York city, from which point immense 
quantities of goods are disposed of to 
dealers in all directions. Poth the 
Messrs. Martin were born in the centre 
of the webbing industry in the old world, 
and there laid the foundation for the 
triumph which has attended their efforts 
in their adopted land. Their portraits, re- 
sidences and factories presented herewith. 




RESIDENCE OWNED EY THOS. MARTIN, FRANKLIN AVE. 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 




WILLIAM MARTIN. 

William S. Hixcn. 



William S. Hixon has been a 
Massachusetts since his twent 
removing here from his native 
town of Cornwall, N. Y., in 
1868. His education was re- 
ceived in the Cornwall public 
schools. He began the provi- 
sion business in 1872 at the 
Washington market, Boston. A 
fine trade was built up. Seven 
years later Mr. Hixon changed 
his employment to the extent 
of becoming a wholesale com- 
mission merchant. Here, also, 
he achieved a marked success 
and continued until 1884, 
when he became interested in 
the manufacture of soap-stone 
and soon after decided to give 
his entire time to this business, 
which he has since done. He 
experienced three years of serv- 
ice in the United States navy, 
enlisting January 17, 1S64, and 
serving on the monitor Rhode 
Island, the Saratoga and the 
gunboat Chimo. He is greatly 
interested in the Grand Army 



citizen of 
ieth vear, 



and several times has acted as a dele- 
gate to the annual National Conven- 
tion. He is a member of the Royal 
Arcanum and has been treasurer of 
Temple Council of this order. He has 
other business connections than those 
before named, being treasurer of the 
Cone Axle company and president of 
the Collett Car Brake company. He 
was a member of the Chelsea Common 
Council in 1S77 and of the lower branch 
of the Legislature in 1888-9, where he 
served on the committee on harbors and 
public lands. He is now a member of 
the Chelsea board of aldermen. His 
political career, while not particularly 
extensive, has ever been marked by the 
same conscientious care which one 
would give his own immediate business. 
To the former he brought also the 
inherent ability by which he has made 
a complete success of his mercantile 
life, in all the varying lines into which 
his versatility has lead him. The City 
of Chelsea is the gainer, as would be 
any municipality, by the residence of 
men of such scope, resource and force. 
Mr. Hixon was married in Boston, Dec. 







RESIDENCE OF WILLIAM MARTIN, FRANKLIN AVE. 



I 26 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 




CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



127 




WORKS OF LOW ART TILE COMPANY. 



11, 1S75, t0 Miss Martha L., daughter of From this union four children have been 
Ezekiel and Martha (Ring) Andrews. born. 




SWETT CAR WHEEL AND FOUNDRY COMPANY'S WORKS, GEORGE B. SWETT, PROPRIETOR. 



128 



:helsea illustrated 





ALFRED HOPKINS. 



Boston Gore & Web Mfg. Co. 



Alfred Hopkins, founder and treasurer 
of the Boston Gore & Web Manufacturing 
( '<>., was horn in Leicester, England, which 
place was considered the depot of the 



EDMUND A. HOPKINS. 

world for elastic webs. He came to this 
country in 1S62, during the war, and was 
one of the pioneers of the goring business 
in this country. He was one of the man- 
agers of the Goodyear Elastic Fabric Co., 
which was in Easthampton. Mass., and 




FACTORY, BOSTON GORE &. WEB MFG. CO. 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



1 29 



stayed with them until the expiration of 
their patent. He then went to Waterbury, 
Conn., to take charge of the American 
Suspender Co. of that city, and has been 
in the goring and suspender business, 
principally goring, ever since that time. 
In 1S80 he came to Chelsea and started 
the Eastern Elastic Gussett Co., in which 
T. Martin & Bros, were interested. In 
1892 he sold out to the Hub gore makers, 
and in 1893 started the Boston Gore & 
Web Mfg. Co., manufacturing shoe goring 
and corset webs, also truss webs, bandage 



hands and make a specialty of the follow- 
ing : wood-working machinery, machine 
castings of all kinds, sewer rings and 
covers of every description ; round and 
square catch basin and man hole covers, 
sewer traps, etc., water pipe elbows, 
sleeves and repair and jobbing pipe. 



New England Vaccine Co. 

Embraced in the diversity of Chelsea's 
industries is the production of vaccine, 
the world-renowned preventative against 



SK.LOVEVVf 




MACHINE SHOP AND FOUNDRY, S. K. LOVEWELL & CO. 



webs, etc., for surgical purposes. The 
present officers are : Edmund A. Hopkins, 
president, Alfred Hopkins, treasurer, and 
Frank H. Curry, secretary. The Boston 
office is at 139 Summer street. 



S. K. Lovewell & Co. 



This large concern is located at 92S-934 
Broadway, Chelsea, where they operate 
a large foundry and machine shop, the 
buildings of which are shown in accom- 
panying engraving. They employ fifty 



smallpox. In the New England Vaccine 
company, therefore, is possessed a con- 
cern whose operations are not only unique, 
but extend throughout the country in 
arming America against the possibility of 
contracting the terrible disease its vaccine 
prevents. Perhaps few realize how for- 
tunate are they who live in this progressive 
nineteenth century compared to those 
who were our forefathers and antecedents. 
The destructive plague, smallpox, has not 
been visited upon New England cities in 
the past few years, although its ravages in 



i3° 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 




CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



131 



this country, from Maine to California, 
not many years ago, were appalling. It 
is learned that no definite knowledge of 
the origin of this disease, now guarded 
against with such vigilance, has ever been 
discovered by writers on the subject ; but 
histories and traditions of eastern nations 
claim its commencement was before the 
Christian era. According to Dr. Wm. C. 
Cutler's researches, smallpox appeared in 
Egypt, A. D. 544, although it is believed 
by some writers that Philo, a Jewish phil- 
osopher, mentioned it in a work of the 



have averaged about 3,000 victims to 
each million of inhabitants. In France, 
30,000 perished yearly and in the Russian 
empire it was so malignant as to have cut 
off 2,000,000 inhabitants in a single year. 
During the seventeenth and eighteenth 
centuries, not a decade passed without an 
occurrence of fearful smallpox epidemics, 
and in England, from seven to nine per 
cent of all the deaths were due to it. It 
is further quoted, that during the sixteenth 
century, in Mexico alone, 3,500,000 per- 
sons died of smallpox, and in 1734 nearly 




OFFICE, NEW ENGLAND VACCINE CO. 



life of Moses, written earlier than the first 
century. It is a known fact that the 
disease spread into Asia and Africa during 
the sixth and seventh centuries and in- 
vaded Europe in the ninth and tenth 
centuries, being brought to Cuba and San 
Domingo soon after the discovery of 
America in 1492. In 1527 its victims 
numbered millions in Mexico, from which 
date it gradually extended over the whole 
western hemisphere. The mortality from 
smallpox in the countries of the world 
was then as much appalling as it is now 
astounding. In England, it is said to 



two-thirds of the population of Greenland 
were swept away, and in Iceland, 18,000 
of a population of 50,000 died of this 
fearful epidemic. The disease is no 
respecter of rank or color, neither has 
history shown it to be confined to any 
one climate ; and before the introduction 
of vaccination, smallpox had for centuries 
become a permanent disease, never ceas- 
ing to break out seriously in any one year, 
and at longer or shorter intervals to 
become a great epidemic. In the epi- 
demic years, one-half of all mortality 
was caused from smallpox. Physicians 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



and governments possessed no means to 
stay this abominable evil, and from the 
widespread nature of the disease, isola- 
tion was impossible, in the country the 
mortality being greater than in the city. 
Men accepted the pest as an unavoidable 
fate. It was therefore when vaccination 
as a preventative was conceived of that 
the progress of the disease was arrested, 
and never until then. Notwithstanding 
that inoculation has for over a century 
and a half been practiced in England and 
America, and that it has broken out in 
fearful epidemics in remote parts of the 



fatal grasp. While the purport of this 
article is not to agitate the sale of either 
the liquid vaccine or the prepared points 
put up by the New England Vaccine 
company, the writer would venture to say 
that nine out of ten who congratulate 
themselves on taking good care of the 
bodies which the Almighty has given in 
their charge, have not been vaccinated 
since childhood. It is fortunate, perhaps, 
not only for this company, but more so 
for the health of these United States, that 
it is a national law prescribed by the board 
of health of each city and town, county 




BACTERIOLOGICAL LABORATORY, NEW ENGLAND VACCINE CO. 



country during the current year, there are 
few who realize the fearful possibilities of 
the disease should it break out in our 
midst. Medical science is yearly making 
rapid strides towards baffling this and 
kindred diseases, and though doubtless 
greater progress has been made in coping 
with smallpox than with yellow fever. 
Inoculation of vaccine produced today 
leaves no taint in the blood and is a posi- 
tive and impenetrable armor in resisting 
the bacteria of smallpox, so small and 
noiseless that human sense cannot tell of 
its presence until clasped in its oftentimes 



and state, that all children be vaccinated 
before being permitted to enter the public 
schools. This is as it should be, but it 
should go farther, making it compulsory 
for man ami woman to be sufficiently 
inoculated with vaccine to insure a com- 
plete armament against the invasion of 
smallpox. Doubtless few know it, but 
some people, in order to be prepared 
against possibilities, should be vaccinated 
every year or two, the average man about 
every five years. Science has proven 
that the object of vaccination is to kill 
the undefined element principle contained 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



*33 



in every human body upon which the 
disease germ of smallpox subsists. The 
establishment of the New England Vaccine 
company in this city was one visited with 
great interest by the writer, and the pro- 
cess of securing the vaccine and preparing 
the same for the trade, is conducted with 
the utmost care. The incubating and oper- 
ating rooms where the virus is procured, 
are located on Everett avenue. The build- 
ing was erected in 1891-92, according to 
the ideas of Dr. Cutler. It contains all 
modern improvements, is lighted by 
electricity, heated by steam, with a direct 



The animals are in no sense abused, have 
good care, and after being vaccinated are 
much less liable to contract diseases com- 
mon to cattle. They are first combed, 
thoroughly scrubbed, then shaved, after- 
wards cleansed with an antiseptic and 
lanced, the wounds being soaked with 
corrosive. On the seventh day, they are 
brought into the operating room and the 
virus is taken from them. This runs from 
three to twenty-four hours ; it is therefore 
necessary for the animals to have constant 
watching and care. The quantity of virus 
procured from one cow varies from 1,000 




OPERATING ROOM, NEW ENGLAND VACCINE CO. 



pipe to the sewer carrying away all refuse. 
The place is kept scrupulously clean and 
continuously moist. The floors are 
cemented, the walls are covered with 
eleven coats of zinc enamelled paint, 
making a formidable armament against 
the invasion of bacteria. The animals 
for securing the virus are young New 
England red cows from one and a half to 
three years old, being selected and kept 
until desired for the exclusive use of this 
company. Usually about three or four 
cows are in use at the establishment, each 
being retained as long as productive. 



to 5,000 points. The operating room, 
which is the personification of cleanliness, 
contains many ingenious contrivances for 
handling the animals during the process 
of taking from them the virus, including 
stanchions, swinging tables, etc. The 
virus points manufactured by the com- 
pany are of ivory, and are doubly dipped 
in the virus of two cows, then dried with 
electric fans. Of these points the com- 
pany usually carry a stock of 25,000. 
They also dispense virus in capillary 
tubes. Samples of these and the points 
are forwarded to health officers and others 



134 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



desiring to test the production of the 
company, on application. The dispensa- 
tion of glycerinated vaccine virus is a 
new departure of this company that has 
received the unqualified endorsement of 
the most eminent bacteriologists in this 
country and Europe. This is put up in 
the laboratory of the concern which 
adjoins their offices on Broadway. It is 
prepared by macerating and triturating 
the pulp of vaccine vesicles in pure glycer- 
ine until they become a homogeneous 
mass. It is then tested upon a series of 
primary subjects. If these tests produce 



put up in (pulls, doubly and trebly dipped. 
The product of this company is sent all 
over the United States. It is the oldest, 
largest and one of the very few in this 
country. The company's orders are 
mostly received by telegram, and in case 
of an outbreak of small-pox in any remote 
part of the country, an almost unlimited 
number of points could be readily shipped. 
The virus dispensed by this company is 
guaranteed for one month and is thor- 
oughly and sufficiently tested before being 
applied to the trade. The laboratory con- 
tains the finest equipment possible in the 




INCUBATING ROOM, NEW ENGLAND VACCINE CO. 



characteristic vesicles, it is passed into 
the hands of the bacteriologist who exam- 
ines it from time to time until the glycer- 
ine renders it practically sterile. This 
condition obtains usually in from twenty- 
five to fort}' days. By this process each 
tube can be pronounced positively sterile 
and reliable The bacteriological labora- 
tory is under the care of a recent graduate 
of the Harvard Medical school, who has 
made this branch a specialty. For the 
convenience of the profession, virus is 
dispensed in tubes containing a sufficient 
aim nint for one vaccination. It is also 



way of microscopes and other scientific 
instruments, microscope in particular being 
one of the most costly and finest in the 
world. Recent shipments include 60,000 
points to Birmingham, Ala., and 25,000 to 
Atlanta, (la. This industry was started 
in 1S71 by Dr. Win. C. Cutler, and since 
his graduation his son, Chas. N. Cutler, 
M. 1 >., has been associated with him, Wm. 
Stinson, M. D.V., of this city, being the 
veterinarian. The office and bacteriolog- 
ical laboratory are in the McCann build- 
ing, Chelsea. < His Clapp & Son, Boston, 
are large distributors of the points. 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



J 35 



Walker Brothers. 



This concern is engaged in dyeing 
fancy colors in yarns, etc., and manufac- 
tures household supplies under the name 
of the Walker Chemical & Extract Co. It 
is composed of E. H. and James Walker, 
and the business was established in i S 73. 
E. H. Walker was formerly connected with 
the Boston Elastic Fabric company, having 
charge of the dyeing department as an 
acknowledged expert in this line. James 
Walker, also, was brought up in this and the 
machinists' trade, and acquired the fullest 



reaching an immense volume. The firm 
is given a very high position among the 
best dyers of fancy colors in the United 
States, and the work turned out would do 
great credit to a much larger community 
than that in which the business is con- 
ducted. The household branch of the 
business was established three years ago 
and is now conducted under the style of 
the Walker Chemical & Extract company. 
Ammonia and bluing, with a full line of 
extracts of the highest quality, are pre- 
pared for use, and here was conceived 
the happy idea of putting up chloride of 




WORKS OF WALKER BROTHERS. 



knowledge of the same. This joining of 
talent could hardly fail to bring about the 
happy result which has followed the firm's 
endeavors in its field of work. Farther 
back, they came of a family of dyers, 
their father, James W. Walker, being a 
leader in the craft of Glasgow, Scotland. 
Their factory is located on Broadway, 
near the Revere line. Twenty thousand 
square feet of land are covered and steady 
employment is given to fifteen hands. 
An important feature of the business is the 
dyeing of fine yarns for large concerns in 
Lowell and other textile centres, the 
annual aggregate of this department alone 



potash in bottles, rather than in cans. 
The same success which has attended the 
older enterprise has marked the preparing 
of these, seemingly minor articles of 
household demand, but what are really of 
the utmost worth. From a small factory, 
in size, 20 x 30, the industry has devel- 
oped to its present proportions. A com- 
plete comprehension of the fundamentals, 
aided by native foresight, has had its 
certain result. Not scorning, in the days 
of small- things, to apply their own hands 
to the work which they, unaided, were 
able to accomplish, the Messrs. Walker 
have seen the expansion, with its attendant 



136 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



responsibilities and rewards. Both mem- 
bers of the firm have resided in Chelsea 
for many years, and James Walker has 
served in both branches of the city gov- 
ernment, acting as chairman of the board 
of aldermen for one year, and in 1888 
was a candidate for mayor. He is a 
director of the board of trade. 



Stickney, Tirrell & Co. 



Among the products of Chelsea's man- 
ufacture is that of whiting. The large and 
well-ordered factory of Stickney, Tirrell 
& Co. is located on Marginal street, near 
Willow street. The business of this con- 
cern was established a number of years 



interested, and since the combination of 
energy and capital, the concern has been 
conducted under the name of Stickney, 
Tirrell & Co. With their two mills, the 
firm are enabled to meet the demands of 
their large trade which extends not only 
through New England, but over the entire 
country. The product of these factories 
is made from the raw material, which is 
imported from Europe, the dock facilities 
at the Chelsea factory being especiallv 
advantageous in the transaction of the 
concern's business, in landing and ship- 
ping goods by vessel. Recently the only 
merchant vessel from London visiting 
Boston for many years, brought 1,100 
tons of chalk for Messrs. Sticknev, Tirrell 







1 


,, i 


^3^ 


T~~ 




' ^irgnMr'Hfi 


™" 5 "■"' 






ftimmw' 



WHITING WORKS OF STICKNEY, TIRRELL & CO. 



ago by the senior member, J. W. Stickney, 
the factory first operated being situated 
at the corner of Marginal and Charles 
streets. In 1880 the works were entirely 
destroyed by fire, shortly after which the 
present factory was built, which is shown 
in the accompanying engraving. Until 
1 89 1, business was continued by Mr. 
Stickney and his partner. At that time, 
Wm. Stickney, son of the senior, suc- 
ceeded the partnerupon his decease. As 
the business increased, the demand for 
greater facilities became evident, and led 
to the consolidation which united the 
plant of J. W. Stickney with that of F. N. 
Tirrell, the latter plant being located at 
East Boston. The combination of in- 
terests was proven advantageous to all 



& Co., discharging the same at the docks 
of their busy factory. The name of this 
firm is a synonym for reliability. About 
thirty men are employed. The Boston 
salesrooms are on Broad street. Both 
the Messrs. Stickney are well-known 
citizens of Chelsea, J. W. Stickney being 
a present member of the board of health, 
and one of the trustees of the Chelsea 
Savings bank. 



T. H. Buck & Co. 



This leading lumber concern, successors 
of Buck & Trussell and David II. Buck, 
and now conducted by Theodore H. Buck, 
has made Chelsea famous as a headquar- 
ters for all kinds of lumber and the manu- 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



137 



facture of interior and exterior finish. 
The location of this large concern, at the 
corner of Pearl and Marginal streets, both 
as a receiving and distributing point, is as 
advantageous as any in the lumber busi- 
ness in New England, and its retail trade 
is considered fully as large. There are 
85,000 feet of wharf property, alongside 
of which four vessels can unload at once. 
On the opposite side of Marginal street, 
the firm has acquired and occupy with 
their buildings, 17,000 additional feet of 
land. Beside the sheds, which are heated 
by steam, for kiln dried lumber, three 
commodious storehouses, large office and 
dry kilns, with a capacity of 150,000 feet, 
there is a three story mill, 80 x 100 feet, 
fitted with the most improved machinery 



ence for forty-five years, always maintain- 
ing an unquestioned reputation for relia- 
bility, this lumber firm has steadily grown 
and prospered, coming into the control of 
Theodore and George H. Buck in 1865. 
Since 1891, however, the former has been 
sole proprietor, although the business 
continues under the same firm name, T. 
H. Buck & Co. Mr. Buck is a native of 
Bucksport, Maine, and came to Chelsea 
when only four years of age, obtaining his 
education in the public schools. After 
the war broke out, he enlisted in Chelsea, 
a member of company G, 40th Mass. 
volunteers, and after its close engaged in 
his present business, which, under his 
efficient management, has increased to 
large proportions. He is a member of 




YARDS AND MILLS OF T. H. BUCK &. CO. 



for the manufacture of all kinds of interior 
and exterior finish. A 150 h. p. boiler 
and 200 h. p. engine furnish power for 
the plant. To the credit of the concern, 
it may be said that during the financial 
depression the mill has, on the average, 
operated mostly on full time, in this respect 
being more fortunate than others in its 
line. A hundred hands are given constant 
and remunerative employment ; and, in 
the busy seasons, sixty horses are required 
to deliver lumber. All kinds of hard and 
soft lumber, as well as clapboards, shingles, 
laths, etc., are dealt in, and the business 
of the firm radiates within fifty miles of 
its establishment. Beside the home office 
in Chelsea, a Boston office is maintained 
at 166 Devonshire street, and an evening 
office at Maiden. Having been in exist- 



the Theodore Winthrop post, G. A. R., a 
trustee of the Chelsea Savings bank, a 
thirty-second degree Mason and a mem- 
ber of the Master Builders' association. 



Montgomery & Howard. 

Chelsea's fame in shipbuilding has 
been attained by the large operations in 
the past of the firm of Montgomery & 
Howard, whose shipyards are located on 
Marginal street in this city, and from 
which many large sailing and steam craft 
now plying between Boston and other 
cities, were launched. The firm is com- 
posed of Jabez K. Montgomery and A. L. 
Howard, both of whom were born in 
Warren, Maine, and first becoming firm 
friends as school boys, have maintained 



i33 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



close relationship and harmony in their 
business partnership of over thirty years. 
During the war, they were engaged by a 
large shipbuilding firm in Portland, Me., 
in the construction of gunboats for the 
United States navy, and when in 1S67, 
they came to Chelsea and engaged in 
shipbuilding on their own account, they 
were possessed of a practical knowledge 
of shipbuilding in all its branches, and 
although this was their principal capital, 
they were successful in establishing a large 
business which increased yearly, giving 
employment to a great many men at 
times. Many of the finest boats sailing 



their portraits, being shown on previous 
pages. The firm stands high in maritime 
circles and are probably as good authorities 
on the question of sailing craft as any 
men on the Atlantic coast. Commencing 
at the foot of the ladder and achieving a 
well-known business success, always show- 
ing liberality to the men in their employ, 
they have for years held the confidence 
of the business world. 



L. C. Chase & Co. 



Near the Winnisimmet ferry is the 
large rubber works of L. C. Chase & Co. 




LAUNCH OF THE STEAMER CITY OF TAUNTON AT SHIPYARDS OF MONTGOMERY &. HOWARD. 



the Xew England coast were designed 
and built by them, prominent among 
which are three freight steamers for the 
Fall River line, one of which, the City 
of Taunton, still on the weighs just pre- 
vious to being launched, is shown in the 
accompanying engraving. Main- of the 
excursion steamers also, including the 
Mayflower, of the Xantasket Steamboat 
company, as well as many pilot boats and 
other craft, have been designed and built 
by them, all of which have given the 
desired service and speed. Both men 
are well-known citizens of Chelsea, bio- 
graphical Sketches of each, together with 



The plant, employing several hundred 
hands, is conveniently situated for the 
manufacture of the large quantities of 
bicycle tires turned out there. It is here 
that the Chase tough tread tires are 
made. 



Seaver & Co. 



This firm occupies the three-story 
wooden factory at the corner of Shurtleff 
and Marginal streets, in size 100x40 feet, 
formerly the feather factory of A. L. 
Haskell & Son. The product is bone 
black, a staple in extensive use with the 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



x 39 




RUBBER WORKS OF L. C. CHASE & CO. 



paint trade. Business has been carried 
on in Chelsea since November, 1S97, the 
former location being at South Duxbury. 
The manufacturing is done from the raw 
material. The boiler strength aggregates 
one hundred horse power and some 
twelve hands are constantly employed. 



The firm is composed of J. M. and G. F. 
Seaver, both of whom reside at Boston. 
The Messrs. Seaver had a record of seven- 
teen years of success before locating in 
Chelsea. The capacity is 1,000 tons 
yearly, the largest in the country. The 
Boston office is at 120 Milk street. 




NEW BONE BLACK WORKS OF SEAVER 4 CO. 



140 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



Thos. L. Appleton. 

This well-known manufacturer has re- 
sided and done business in Chelsea for 
the past quarter of a century. He was 
born in Boston, and at four years of age 



> f% 






iHkg 


t J 


w 



CAPT. THOS. L. APPLETON. 

his parents moved to Brighton, w 
attended school. At seventeen 
listed in the late war, entering the 
as a private, April, 1861. He 
served four years, returning a 
commissioned captain for gal- 
lant service. He engaged in 
the hardware business after the 
war closed, in Boston, and was 
burned out in the great fire of 
1872. The following year he 
removed to Chelsea, and start- 
ed in his present manufactur- 
ing business, his first location 
being 22 Marginal street, re- 
moving to his present mills 
some years ago. Previous to 
the fire, which totally de- 
stroyed the property, in 1890, 
his goods were shipped largely 
over the country. Since the 
rebuilding of the mill, which 



here he 
he en- 
service 



is now at 1 63-1 71 Marginal street, he has 
manufactured and dealt in mantels, office 
and store fixtures, mouldings, brackets, 
posts, rails and balusters, and every de- 
scription of mill woodwork. The mills, 
which have excellent wharf facilities, give 
employment to twenty -five well-paid 
hands, and proverbially run on full time. 
Captain Appleton is a chapter Mason, a 
member of Theodore Winthrop post, G. 
A. R., and is treasurer of the Hawthorne 
Club stables. He is known as one of the 
interested citizens of this communitv. 



Newell Bedding- Co. 

At the corner of Fifth and Spruce 
streets has, for several years, been con- 
ducted a factory where mattresses are 
made and several hands are employed. 
The business is now conducted by the 
Newell Bedding Co., successors to Chas. 
H. Newell & Co., C. H. Newell being the 
present proprietor. The factory is a 
large three-story building, 100x30 feet, 
the whole of which is occupied, and where 
all grades of bedding supplies are made 
and dealt in, including mattresses, feath- 
ers, curled hair, excelsior, etc. The pro- 
prietor, a resident of Chelsea, is favorably 
known in business circles, as was his father 
before him, the late Hervey Newell, who 
died some years ago. A New England 
trade is supplied principally. 



.C.H.NEWELIi-&c-.iC'd: 
M A-Tj-T-R El-S-S;E;-S-?-^; L - 
w hole's 'ale '^'retail: 



1 LSLitlG 



f?f!P 



1 



1 s pi 1 1 



uiOiintii 




>rsr.«. .\ 






FACTORY, NEWELL BEDDING CO. 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



141 



The Lincoln. 



One of the most desirable apartment 
houses in the suburbs of Boston is The 
Lincoln, on Cary avenue, Chelsea, an 
illustration of which accompanies this 
article. The building is one of the largest 
structures of the kind in the city and was 
erected by Mrs. Ellen J. Marble, in 
memory of the late James Marble, who 
died in December, 1S91, after fifty years' 
married life 
in Chelsea. 
He was 
pro m i nent 
in Odd Fel- 
lowship, hav- 
ing for forty 
years been 
trustee of 
Winn i s i m - 
met lodge of 
this city. 
He was also 
one of the 
overseers of 
the poor and 
one of the 
best known 
and most 
valued citi- 
zens. His 
decease re- 
moved one 
of Chelsea's 
most beloved 
men. Every 
apartment is 
fitted with 
the most 
modern im- 
p rovements, 
i n c 1 u d i n g 
hot-water heaters, bath rooms, set ranges, 
patent ash sifters, electric bells and ele- 
vator. Those who contemplate making 
their home in Chelsea will find in The 
Lincoln a few suites in a location most 
desirable, and situated between Broadway 
and Spencer avenue, just far enough from 
the main thoroughfare to escape the noise 
and bustle of the business section, yet but 
a minute's walk to electrics. The Lincoln 
is an ornament to the section where it is 



located ; and the families in its well-kept 
suites form desirable residents. The 
building offers unusual attractions to those 
who would enjoy a healthy location, pure 
air and, for the many conveniences — 
reasonable rents. 



Henry Pickford. 



This well-known citizen 
London, England, in 1831 




THE LINCOLN. 



was born in 
At an early 
age he re- 
moved with 
h i s parents 
to Halifax, 
N. S. His 
father w a s 
T h o m a s 
Pickford, 
pilot of H. 
M . W e s t 
India squad- 
ron, and was 
lost at sea 
when Henry 
was a mere 
boy. At the 
age of thir- 
teen he was 
a pprenticed 
to a watch- 
maker ; but 
after serving 
four years he 
came to Bos- 
ton, where 
he worked at 
the machin- 
ist trade and 
lockmaking. 
He worked, 
later, in New 
York city, 
instruments. \Yhen he 
he returned to Halifax 



making nautical 
was twenty-two, 
and set up a machine shop and foundry. 
Among the fine work executed here were 
two bank locks for the Union bank of St. 
Johns, Newfoundland, and for his own 
productions received a gold medal and 
diploma at the Colonial fair. Believing 
that the states offered a broader field for 
business, he came to Boston again and 
worked at the machine business. He 



142 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



spent nearly all his spare time in perfect- 
ing various inventions, and making models 
of the same. Out of the nine patents for 
which he applied, five were granted, his 
models always attracting attention. Mr. 
Pickford afterwards accepted a position 
as foreman at Edwards, Fernald & Ker- 
shaw's, the largest safe manufacturers in 
New England at that time. He occupied 
this position for six years, during which 
time he travelled in different parts of the 
country in response to calls to open banks 
where the combinations had been lost. 
( )ne of the most difficult cases was at the 
Revere bank, Boston. 
In 1862 he left for the 
war in the Chelsea 
Company H, 43rd 
Mass. volunteers, and 
was one of the volun- 
teers to go to Gettys- 
burg after his time of 
enlistment had ex- 
pired. Upon his re- 
turn from the war, 
was met by Oliver 
Edwards, president of 
the Atlantic Works, 
and offered a position 
as foreman. About 
a year after, he went 
into business on his 
own account, manu- 
facturing builders' 
hardware, at which he 
was remarkably suc- 
cessful. Finally, Hon. 
F. B. Fay induced 
him to become senior 
partner of the firm of 
Pickford & Hollis, in which that gentle- 
man was special partner, and some $.20,- 
000 were invested. At the close of four 
years the firm was dissolved, and the 
business was continued with success by 
Mr. Pickford alone. While in the lock 
business he made over 35,000 locks for 
banks, safety deposit, churches and hotels, 
most of them being of his own design, 
lb- received both silver and bronze 
medals for superior workmanship at the 
exhibit of the Mass. Charitable Mechanics 
association, of which he was a member 
for twenty years. While doing a large 




business in Boston, he was offered lucra- 
tive positions in New York, Conn., Rhode 
Island and Canada, which he could but 
decline. In 1882 he became interested 
in the Gladwin bit, the patent of which 
he sold for $10,000, receiving Si, 000 as 
commission. He afterwards went to New 
York, Ansonia, Conn., and Chesterfield, 
N. H., to make the dies and all the tools 
used in manufacturing the bit. Some 
years ago he began business in Chelsea 
on a small scale as electrician and lock- 
smith, his establishment being on Broad- 
way. He now supplies the Smith Roll 
Top Desk Co. with 
his patent desk lock. 
He is one of the oili- 
est members of Post 
35, G. A. R., and has 
been for many years 
one of the trustees of 
the ( larden cemetery 
of this citv. 



Atwood & 

McManus. 



One of the largest 
manufacturers of 
wooden boxes in or 
about Boston, is the 
firm of Atwood & 
McManus, their fac- 
tory being located 
along the tracks of 
the eastern division of 
the B. & M. R.R., at 
the corner of Fourth 
henry pickford. and Cyprus streets, 

furnishing regular em- 
ployment to about sixty men, and for 
their business occupying an acre ami a 
quarter of land. It was at Middleton, 
Ma^s.. that the business of this prosperous 
firm found its inception, where J. B. 
Thomas, uncle of A. 1!. Atwood, and H. 
P. McManus, laid its foundation. C. N. 
Atwood, father of A. 11. Atwood and silent 
partner of the firm of Atwood & Mc- 
Manus, at the present time conducts 
business at Middleboro, taking the logs 
in the rough and converting them into 
finished boxes. It was in 1893 that A. 1!. 
Atwood and 11. I'. McManus, the latter 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



'43 





A. B. ATWOOD. 



H. P. McMANUS 



having been for several years associated 
with J. B. Thomas & Co. in Middleton, 
joined forces and built their present fac- 
tory in Chelsea. Besides the main factory, 
a long structure with five wings, there are 
four smaller buildings. Opening out on 
the tracks of the railroad are twelve doors, 
making the receiving and shipping facili- 
ties unexcelled. Wooden boxes exclu- 
sively are made ; and, when it is learned 
that 6,000,000 feet of lumber were used 
last year, it is not surprising to know that 
the business has more than trebled. It 



is further stated that the services of 300 
men are required in furnishing the mater- 
ial and making the product of this busy 
factory. Beside possessing all the latest 
improved machinery, there is a full-fledged 
printing department, for printing boxes, 
on the premises. Both members of the 
firm are fully adopted citizens of Chelsea. 



Roger Walton, 

This citizen of Chelsea, residing in a 
comfortable home on Addison street, and 




:-s. :H£-.J?-"h -^-v 



FACTORY OF ATWOOD &. McMANUS. 



144 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 




among the thousands who frequent the 
lunch rooms of Huston, is proven by the 
large number consumed. Mr. Walton 
was born in Preston, Lancashire county, 
England, and for several years followed 
the sea. Coming to Chelsea from Jamaica, 
\Y. 1., his success in establishing and 
building up his business to its present 
proportions, does credit to his ambition. 
He is an Odd Fellow, a member of Robert 
Lash lodge of Masons, Sons of St. George, 
A. O. U. W., N. K. Order of Protection, 
Chelsea Board of trade, and of the church 
committee of the Third Congregational 
church. 



ROGER WALTON. 

conducting a factory on Cyprus street, 
adds credit to Chelsea by manufacturing, 
in stupendous quantities, mutton and 
chicken pies. He has conducted this 
business in Chelsea for the past eleven 
years. In November, 1897, a disastrous 
fire destroyed his premises. It was by 
indefatigable hard work that he recovered 
from this severe financial loss. The 
factory now occupied is a new one, con- 
taining all the modern appliances for 
cooking and baking. A 12 h. p. boiler 
furnishes steam for three sixty gallon 
rooking kettles. In the winter season, 
600 lbs. of fowl and 150 lbs. of mutton 
are made into pies daily and several bakers 
are given regular employment. Boston 
restaurants and lunch rooms use Mr. 
Walton's entire product, the sandwich 
depots of the city being the largest con- 
aimers, notably, all the Wyman and 
Munch P>ros. establishments. That the 
pies made by this baker are popular 




^8Sf^* 



RESIDENCE OF ROGER WALTON. 



John Robertson. 



The 




WALTON'S PIE BAKERY. 



largest steam and hot-water heat- 
ing establishment of Chel- 
sea is that of the late John 
Robertson, located in the 
(i. A. R. block on Division 
street. Since the decease 
of the founder, January, 
1898, it has been conduct- 
ed under the management 
of (',. D. Mel. oud. Mr. 
Robertson was one of the 
foremost business men of 
Chelsea, and his decease 
removed one of its best 
citizens. Beside being 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



M5 




GRAND ARMY BLOCK. 

of the leading heating establishment, the 
business of which was built up by his per- 
sonal effort and his equitable business 
principles. He was a permanent member 
of the fire department, being captain of 
Hose 3, possessing many friends who 
have since mourned his loss. Since his 
death the present manager has conducted 
the business for his widow, maintaining 
the standard of his former employer and 
the large business previously carried on. 
A corps of registered steam fitters and 
their assistants are employed. The firm 
makes a specialty of steam and hot- water 
heating and the gasfitting business in all its 
branches. The workroom, the largest in 
the city, contains a large stock of fittings 
and is equipped with all modern appli- 
ances for facilitating the work. An un- 
usual display is made there also of steam 
and hot-water heaters, gas fixtures, burners 
and globes. The business is well managed 
and no contract is too large and none too 
small to receive a prompt estimate. 



James G. Webber. 



and came to this city when but five years 
old. He obtained his education in the 
Williams school in this city. His father, 
Henry Webber, was engaged in the shirt- 
making industry and gave him a thorough 
business training. In 1S83 he assumed 
his father's business and has conducted 
the same ever since. His establishment 
is on Fifth street, and having for many 
years supplied the wholesale New England 
trade, he is probably one of the best known 
travelling men of Boston. In the manu- 
facture of his goods he has made his mark 
in business circles by his improvement in 
the style of the make-up of overalls. Mr. 
Webber first became a member of the 
Chelsea city government in 1S92, serving 
that and the year following in the common 
council. He is now serving his last of a 
three year's term in the board of alder- 
men, receiving the popular vote at the 
republican caucus at the time of his nom- 
ination. He is a member of Robert 
Lash lodge and Shekinah chapter in the 
Masonic bodies, and Mystic lodge, en- 
campment and Rebeccahs in Odd Fel- 
lowship. He also belongs to the Boston 
Fusileers and the Mystic Brothers of 
Boston. He was a petitioner for Pow- 
hatan Tribe, I. O. R. M., and is connected 
with the order of Fraternal Helpers. He 
disburses the funds for this district for the 
Odd Fellows Relief association, and is 



This manufacturer of flannel shirts and 
overalls is a well-known resident of Chel- 
sea and member of the board of aldermen. 
He was born in Boston July 13, 1855, 




ALDERMAN J. G. WEBBER. 



i 4 6 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



chairman of the finance committee of St. 
Luke's club of this city. 



County Savings Bank. 

This savings bank, now occupying new 
and handsome quarters on Broadway, has 
a proud and almost unparalleled record 
among the savings banks of the state, and 
its remarkable growth does credit to the 
thrift of its depositors and good manage- 
ment. The bank was founded in response 



statement was rendered, shows the follow- 
ing remarkable increase and the largest 
increase of any savings bank in the im- 
mediate vicinity of Boston : 



I deposits < >c tuber, 1890 



1897 



61,298.19 

206,098.61 
231,954.16 
281,011.12 

M39.2 

366,559.12 

411,743.07 

433,000.00 



" March 1. 

This creditable showing of the institution 
is the result of the careful and conserva- 




INTERIOR COUNTY SAVINGS BANK. 



to the demand for another savings bank 
in Chelsea. Among those named in the 
application for its charter were : Charles 
A. Wilkinson, Albert D. Bosson, Rufus S. 
Frost, Charles A. Campbell, ('. F. Fenno 
and James A. McCann, all of whom were 
active in its foundation. The original 
incorporators numbered sixty-five, com- 
prised largely of Chelsea men. The bank 
was incorporated Feb. 27, 1890, and 
opened its vaults for deposits the first of 
the following April. The appended state- 
ment of its deposits, from the time its first 



tive management of its affairs. Since its 
organization, not a dollar has been lost 
on its investments, and never has the 
management been compelled to foreclose 
any of its mortgages. Dividends have 
been regularly declared every six months, 
at the rate of four per cent, and the 
officials in charge of the bank say that 
there is no present prospect of any reduc- 
tion in the dividends. Deposits are re- 
ceived in amount from five cents to one 
thousand dollars. The present officers of 
the bank are as follows : Albert D. Bosson, 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



i47 



president, and George T. 
Roberts, treasurer, both 
of whom have served in 
their respective capacities 
since the organization. In 
its new quarters, the bank 
has rooms comparing fa- 
vorably with any savings 
bank in New England. 
The bank ranks very high 
in financial circles, both 
as to management and 
the character of its invest- 
ments. 



The Chelsea Savings 
Bank. 



This, the oldest institu- 
tion of its character here, 
was organized May 11, 
1854. The first president 
was the venerable Francis 
B. Fay, who was also the 
first mayor of Chelsea. 
His associates and succes- 
sors have well maintained 
that civic pride and hon- 
orable faithfulness to finan- 




W -IS WW wm 



FIRST NATIONAL BANK. 




INTERIOR FIRST NATIONAL BANK. 



14S 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



cial trust, which have given to this bank, 
from first to last, fullest public confidence 
and most honorable success. Successors 
in the office of president have been John 
II. Osgood, for thirty years, from 1857, 
and Otis Hinman, since the decease of 
Mr. Osgood in 1887. The office of 
treasurer has 
been held suc- 
cessively by 
Samuel Bassett, 
John F. Fel- 
lows, and since 
[886, Albert A. 
Fickett. Es- 
pecially for the 
last decade of 
years, the pros- 
perity of the 
bank has rapid- 
ly advanced, 
until its re- 
sources, which 
for the first 
year of its his- 
tory but little 
exceeded Sio,- 
000, now reach 
more than 
$3,800,000. 
The bank has 
easily and tri- 
umph a n 1 1 >' 
passed through 
all the financial 
crisises of its 
times, and es- 
pecially in the 
year 1878, 
when it was 
conspicuous as 
being one of 
the four banks 
of Boston and 
suburban cities 
which alone chelsea savings 

did not avail themselves of the Hay law, 
then made for the relief of savings banks. 
This bank has laid up its surplus after 
generous dividends regularly paid, and 
for the last year amounting to more than 
$1 25,000. first located at city hall, and 
later at two successive locations on 
Broadway, it has occupied, since I U :ober, 




1895, its present substantial and elegant 
new banking house at the corner of 
Broadway and Congress avenue. The 
building, shown in the accompanying 
engraving, one of the chief architectural 
ornaments of the city, was designed by S. 
Edwin Tobey, and erected under the 
supervision of 
James Gould 
and Alonzo C. 
Tenney. The 
present officers 
of the corpora- 
tion are as fol- 
lows: presi- 
dent, Otis Hin- 
man ; clerk and 
treasurer, A. A. 
Fickett : vice 
presidents, 
Frank B. Fay, 
Samuel Orcutt, 
B e n j a m i n 
Phipps, Joseph 
W. S t i ckney, 
George E . 
Morrill, Fred- 
erick L. Cut- 
ting and Alonzo 
C. Tenne y ; 
board of in- 
vestment, Otis 
Hinman. Al< m- 
zo C. Tenney, 
lames Could, 
Eugene F . 
Endicott a n d 
George F . 
Morrill. 



Joseph Morrill 
Putnam,M.D. 



1 >r. Joseph 
Morrill Putnam 

BANK BUILDING. ;«. a S(jn of 

Osgood and Rhoda Ann (Hall) Putnam, 
and was born at Croton, Mass. He is a 
lineal descendant of John Putnam, who, 
with his three sons, came to this country 
from Buckinghamshire, England, in 1634, 
and settled in Salem. Ma^s. Among the 
descendants of these sons were Israel 
Putnam, a major-general in the continental 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



149 



army ; Rufus Putnam, colonel and engi- 
neer in the same army, later brigadier- 
general in the U. S. army : Lieut. Thos. 
Putnam, Capt. John Putnam and Capt. 
Benj. Putnam, all of whom served in the 
colonial wars. He is a lineal descendant 
also from John Endicott and John Win- 
throp, the first governors of the Mass. 
Bay colony. Dr. Putnam was educated 
at Lawrence academy and Harvard uni- 
versity, and 
was gradu- 
ated from 
Bellevue 
Hospital 
Medical col- 
lege, N e w 
York, in the 
class of 1870, 
a f t e r which 
he remained 
a t Bellevue 
hospital some 
months for 
hospital 
work. He 
began the 
practice of 
his profession 
in Chelsea, 
where, on 
February 25, 
1875, ne was 
married to 
H a 1 1 ie A., 
daughter o f 
Sabine Hol- 
brook and 
Arabella E. 
(Hunter) 
Kimball, a 
native of 
Lubec, Me. 

He was city physician of Chelsea from 
1875 to 1887, first chosen to that office 
in February, 1875, and for five years re- 
elected annually, in 1881 and 1884 being 
appointed to the office for terms of three 
years. From Jan. 1, 1S84, to Jan. 1, 
1887, he was visiting surgeon to the 
Soldiers' Home of Massachusetts. He 
served on the medical and surgical staff, 
and the medical board of the Rufus S. 
Frost General hospital from the date of 




its inception until he resigned, September, 
1896 ; became a member of the Massa- 
chusetts Medical society in June, 1877, 
and fur many years has been one of its 
councillors. In 1880 he became a mem- 
ber of the American Medical association. 
He has two children, Ralph and Beatrice. 
The former was born August 7, 1876, and 
was educated in the public schools of 
Chelsea, being graduated from the high 

school in 
1894. He 
w as given 
t h e degree 
o f Bachelor 
of Arts b y 
Harvard col- 
lege in 189S, 
and at pres- 
ent is about to 
enter upon 
h i s second 
year at the 
Harvard 
Medical 
school. His 
d aughter 
Beatrice was 
born in Chel- 
s e a, August 
9, 1880, and 
is now in the 
class of 1899 
at the Chel- 
s e a high 
school. 



Charles 
Leeds, M.D. 



JOSEPH MORRILL PUTNAM, M.D. 



Dr. Charles 
Leeds, a 
leading prac- 
ticing physician of Chelsea for the past 
twenty-one years, was born in Boston. 
He obtained his early education in the 
Boston public schools, and studied for his 
profession, and is a graduate of the Boston 
Lniversity school of medicine. He almost 
immediately commenced the practice of 
his profession in this city where he has 
remained with unbroken devotion to his 
patients for over a score of years. 1 )r. 
Leeds is descended from early colonial 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



ancestry, and is a member of the Society 
of Colonial wars and Sons of the Ameri- 
can revolution. He is a Knight Templar 
Mason, an Odd Fellow, and a member of 
various other fraternal organizations. He 
is also a member of the Review club, 
American Institute of homoeopathy, the 
Massachusetts Homoeopathic Medical 
society, and stands high in his profession. 
His skill as a physician and surgeon, 
coupled with the many years he has 
resided here, have resulted in a thriving 
practice. He has for some years been 
prominently connected with the R. S. 



is a son of the late Hon. Thomas Green, 
mayor of the city in 1876. He was 
born in Chelsea, August 3, 1863, and 
pursued his education in the public 
schools of Chelsea, and leaving high 
school fitted for college under private 
tutors. He attended the Boston Univer- 
sity School of medicine where he 
graduated an M. D., in 1891. The fol- 
lowing year he commenced practice in 
his former office, on Bellingham street, 
Chelsea, and has since been a valued 
member of the local medical profession. 
His present office and residence are at the 






CHARLES LEEDS, M. 



THOMAS WILLIAM GREEN, M. D. 



Frost General hospital, in which institu- 
tion he has shown marked interest, 
being a member of the board of trustees, 
medical board and the medical staff. 
He has served six years on the Chelsea 
iol committee, and is one of the 
trustees of the County Savings bank. He 
resides on Washington avenue, ami built 
his present residence there in 1892. 



Thomas William Green, M. D. 



Doctor Thomas William Green, one 
of the leading physicians of Chelsea, 



corner of Chestnut street and Washington 
avenue. A man of strong physique, he 
would seem to possess an almost unlim- 
ited capacity for work ; and, sharing with 
the other physicians of the city a large 
amount of charity patients he has a large 
practice. He has served four years on 
the medical staff of the R. S. Frost Gen- 
eral hospital ami is a member of the 
Massachusetts Homoeopathic Medical 
society. Dr. Green devotes his entire 
time to his practice, and has justly 
attained the reputation of being one of 
the most skilful physicians here. 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



!5i 



T. E. Blaisdell, M. D. 



This well-known physician and sur- 
geon, son of the late James Blaisdell, 
was born in a house on Central avenue, 
this city, in 1854. He acquired his 
early education in the local public 
schools and graduated from the Chelsea 
High school in 1872. Four years later, 
he graduated from the academic depart- 
ment of Wesleyan university. He after- 
wards entered upon his medical studies 
at the Boston University School of medi- 
cine from which he graduated in 1879 



nected with the Review club of this city. 
In 1894, Dr. Blaisdell travelled abroad 
and, combining business with pleasure, 
attended the clinics at London and 
Edinburgh. He is one of the scholarly 
members of the medical profession and 
resides on Washington avenue. 



G. A. Johnson, M. D. 



A young but skilful member of the local 
medical profession is Dr. George Anson 
Johnson, who resides and enjoys a grow- 
ing practice in the fast-growing section 





J. E. BLAISDELL, M. D. 

the same year receiving the degree of 
M. A. from Wesleyan university. He 
almost immediately commenced practice 
in his native city and has since continued 
here, acquiring a reputation as a skil- 
ful practitioner. Since the foundation of 
the R. S. Frost General hospital he has 
served as a member of the medical 
board. He is a member of the Massa- 
chusetts Homoeopathic Medical society 
and stands well in his profession. He is 
a member of Robert Lash lodge, Shekinah 
chapter, Napthali council and William 
Parkman commandery, K. T., and is con- 



G. A. JOHNSON, M. D. 

Photo by Purely. 

of Chelsea known as Prattville. He was 
born in South Stukley, Prov. of Quebec, 
Canada, in 1S65, and spent his early 
days on the home farm, obtaining his 
education in the public schools. Dr. 
Johnson came to Boston in 1887, and for 
several years was engaged in mercantile 
pursuits, gradually working his way to- 
ward his chosen profession. He first 
commenced the study of medicine under 
the able preceptorship of Dr. Samuel 
Goodman, professor of nervous diseases 
at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, 
Boston, with whom he spent some time in 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



preparatory work, finally entering the 
above-named college in 1893, and after 
completing the four years' course re- 
quired by that institution, was graduated 
in 1897. Seeking a suitable location for 
practice, he finally chose Prattville and 
settled here soon after graduating. 1 )r. 
Johnson is a genial, public-spirited man, 
and has before him a promising future. 
He is a member of the Boston Medical 
society, of Mystic lodge, I. O. O. F., and 
medical examiner for the Prudential In- 
surance company of Newark. N. J. 



Frederick Augustine King, M.D. 

This already well-known and younger 
member of the local medical profession 
was born in Chelsea in 1868. Having 
been brought up and ever since resided 
here he therefore requires no introduction 
in the pages of this book. Educated in 
the public schools of this city he gained 
an advantage towards the practice of medi- 
cine in four years' experience in the drug 
business, during which time he applied 
himself closely to the study of compound- 





REPRESENTATIVE EDWARD E. WILLARD. 

ing prescriptions. He entered the Boston 
University School of medicine in October, 
1890, graduating therefrom in June, 1895. 
During the last two years of the course at 
medical college and the first year of 
his practice he was house surgeon at 
Dr. S. V. Goldthwaite's private hospi- 
tal for women, Boston. On com- 
mencing practice, he first opened an 
office in Concord square, Boston. 
where he remained two years. Jan- 
uary 1, 1897, he removed to his 
native city, and has since resided and 
continued his practice here. He has 
been highly successful for a young 
physician. Soon after opening up an 
office here he was appointed to the 
medical staff of the R. S. Frost 
General hospital. He has also served 
a year in the maternity department 
of the Massachusetts Homoeopathic 
dispensary. He is a knight templar 
Mason and a member of the Knights 
of the Ancient Essenic order. He 
resides at 14 Everett avenue. 



Edward E. Willard. 



FREDERICK AUGUSriNE KING, M. D. 



The 27th Suffolk district is repre- 
sented in the state legislature in 1898 
by Edward E. Willard, a man of 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



x 5. 



ability and experience in public affairs. 
He was born in Lancaster, Mass., Sept- 
ember 25, 1862. He is a direct de- 
scendant of Major Willard, who was 
one of the first residents of Charles- 
town, and who, later, was the founder 
of Concord, Mass. On the paternal 
side, his ancestor, Samuel Willard, was 
president of Harvard college from 1701 
to 1707. He is also a direct de- 
scendant of 
Joseph Wil- 
lard, who 
was president 

f Harvard 
college from 

1 781 to 1804. 
He obtained 
his education 
in Worcester 
academy and 
Hinman's 
business col- 
lege. Enter- 
ing mercan- 
tile life, he 
became a 
New England 
agent for one 
of the largest 
houses in the 
w a 1 1 paper 
trust. He 
has for four- 
teen years 
been a resi- 
dent of Chel- 
sea, and for 
the past ten 
or a dozen 
years a prom- 
inent figure 
in local poli- 
tics. He served for four years on the 
ward and city committee ; was a mem- 
ber of the common council in 1890, 
and in 1892-3-4, a member of the upper 
branch of the city government, his con- 
nection with this body being highly cred- 
itable to himself and those who elected 
him. He served as chairman of the 
highway and license committees, laying 
out streets and public property, and a 
member of the police and election com- 



mittees during his connection with the 
government. In 1895 he took a seat 
in the house of representatives, serving 
that and the following year in the interest 
of his district, then the 26th Suffolk. 
His election to serve in the house this 
year returned one well qualified to repre- 
sent the newly-created district. He is a 
republican in politics ; a member of Robert 
Lash lodge, F. & A. M. He is also en- 
rolled in the 
Knights o f 
Pythias and 
the Chelsea 
Veteran fire- 
m e n . He 
has a strong 
following and 
is very popu- 
lar in the city 
of his adop- 
tion. 




F. H. 

Nutting, 
M. D. 



Photo by Purely. 



F. H. NUTTING, M. D. 



Among the 
younger suc- 
cessful pro- 
fessional men 
of Chelsea is 
Dr. Frederick 
Harrison 
Nutting. He 
was born in 
East Jeffrey, 
N. H. thirty- 
eight years 
ago, his an- 
cestors being 
the oldest 
s e ttle r s of 
that section of New England, and has 
been a resident of Chelsea for the past 
four years. Since he has been practicing 
he has been fortunately successful and 
acquired a reputation much sooner than 
befalls the lot of the ordinary young 
physician. He obtained his early educa- 
tion at the Conant school where he fitted 
for a two years' course in the Massachu- 
setts College ot pharmacy after attending 
which he devoted many vears to the drug 



154 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



business becoming highly proficient in 
the compounding of prescriptions. After 
attending medical college and graduating 
an M. D. his experience as an educated 
pharmacist became of great assistance 
and benefit to him in the practice of his 
profession. He took a four year's course 
at the College of Physicians and Surgeons 
at Boston, passing the examinations for 
practice before the Massachusetts Board 
of Registration in medicine two years 
before his graduation. He then took a 
course of surgery at the Union General 
hospital, Boston. I )r. Nutting has also 
served as assistant city physician at the 
North End Hospital and dispensary, 



ciation, Boston Medical society, Odd 
Fellows and Alter Ego club. His place 
of residence is at 131 Washington avenue. 



Winnisimmet Company. 

For over two hundred and fifty years, 
transportation of passengers and freight 
between Chelsea and Boston by ferry has 
been carried on by the Winnisimmet 
Company, distinguished as the oldest 
ferry company in the United States. It 
was organized by Thos. Williams, when 
Chelsea; then Winnisimmet village, could 
boast of scarcely a house, and only one 
year after the settlement of Boston. At 




FERRYBOAT CITY OF CHELSEA, WINNISIMMET CO. 



which position he held for a year and a 
half. ( )ne year after receiving his di- 
ploma from the College of Physicians and 
Surgeons he was honored by an appoint- 
ment as instructor of materia medica, 
which, after some hesitation and in response 
to the urgent solicitation of its president 
and trustees he finally accepted, and the 
duties of which he has since performed. 
For the past four years, Dr. Nutting lias 
controlled at the corner of Washington 
avenue and Heard street one of the finest 
equipped and handsomest pharmacies in 
the suburbs of Boston. He is a member 
of the Massachusetts ( !ollege of pharmacy, 
Massachusetts Si ite Pharmaceutical asso- 



first the ferry service consisted of only 
sail boats. The desirability of this as a 
residential section soon became apparent, 
and gradually the Winnisimmet company 
acquired land, which was from time to 
time added to. The part taken, there- 
fore, by this company in the growth and 
development of Chelsea has been most 
important. The large holding of land at 
one time made the stock valuable. Until 
1810, when the Chelsea bridge was built 
to Charlestown, the ferry formed the only 
source of transportation between Chelsea 
and the city. During the presidency of 
Nathan Matthews, Sr., the lands, except- 
ing the landings, were disposed of, the 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



*55 



company having peformed its mission, 
that of making Chelsea a densely settled 
community. The service provided the 
public is equal to, and excels that of 
many ferries propelling in Boston and 
other cities. The boats of this company 
are as follows : City of Chelsea, City of 
Boston and City of Maiden. Sixty-eight 
round trips are made daily in seventeen 
hours, the distance covered between 
Chelsea and Boston being a mile and a 
quarter. The City of Chelsea is of iron, 
the other two of wooden construction, and 
their average speed is fourteen miles an 
hour. Four thousand tons of coal are 
used annually and forty men employed in 



Campbell, Geo. W. Moses, John H. Cun- 
ningham, Chester Guild, Jr. 



Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Sherman. 



From the fact that this venerable 
couple have been residents of this city 
for sixty-five years, and possess a record 
of sixty-eight years of married life, Mr. 
and Mrs. Thomas Sherman are noted 
Chelsea people. Mr. Sherman was born 
in Boston, on a part of North street then 
known as Love lane, August 30, 1807. 
He attended the Eliott school, and in 
1822 apprenticed himself to the gilder's 
trade. Shortly afterwards, he gave way 




MR. AND MRS. THOMAS SHERMAN, OLDEST COUPLE IN CHELSEA. 



operating the Chelsea ferry. The boats 
will average 500 gross 01-250 net tonnage ; 
and at times as many as 1,500 passengers 
have been taken on one trip. During 
1897, 3,200,000 passengers were carried. 
That the company provides good boats, 
well kept and managed, and that the 
profit derived from the company's invest- 
ment is less than 5 per cent per year, are 
facts to indicate that the travelling public 
are carried to the entire satisfaction of the 
most exacting. The company is capital- 
ized at $500,000. Its officers are : J. K. 
Montgomery, president ; G. W. Moses, 
treasurer ; H. T. Holmes is superintend- 
ent. The directors are : J. K. Montgom- 
ery, Kilby Page, J. A. Teele, Chas. A. 



to his desire to go to sea, and for four 
years sailed the "briny deep." After that 
time, he returned to his trade, and for 
twenty years worked for Samuel Curtis, 
of whose shop he had charge. He 
became a resident of Chelsea in 1833, at 
which time, he with Mr. Cushing, one of 
his shopmates, each purchased 3,000 feet 
of land, which was later increased to 
6,000, and built their present residences 
on Broadway. The original property is 
still intact ; the house which at that 
time afforded a view of the entire water 
front, is now fronted by business blocks, 
built on land leased from Mr. Sherman. 
The old turnpike road, where the old 
Stages made regular trips, carrying weary 



i56 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



passengers from Boston to Salem, raising 
tremendous clouds of dust all along the 
line, has since been raised several times. 
Originally, the land was so marshy, 
that a platform from the street to Mr. 
Sherman's yard had to be laid. Within 
the period of this aged couple's residence 
here, therefore, Chelsea has grown from a 
hamlet to a bustling city. Eighteen 
years ago, Mr. and Mrs. Sherman cele- 
brated their golden wedding, and 
although he is ninety-one and his excel- 
lent helpmeet eighty-five, they have never 
required any help in maintaining their 
pleasant and well-ordered home. Hav- 
ing always led a moderate life, they are 
still active mentally and physically, pos- 
sessing a wide circle of friends, and 



Henry Mason, long a resident of the city, 
an able writer, an excellent printer, and a 
man of wide experience in the vicissitudes 
of journalism, until then, publisher of the 
American Cabinet, a literary paper of 
Boston. The location of the plant was 
changed to 47 Winnisimmet street, where 
it continued until 1861, when removed to 
132 Winnisimmet street, and remaining 
thirty-five years. At the close of the war, 
Mr. Mason admitted his eldest son, 
Henry, the firm name becoming H. 
Mason & Son. On February 5, 1874, 
Henry Mason, Sr., was stricken with 
apoplexy, from which he died, ending a 
service of twenty years in this city, 
honorably and faithfully devoted to the 
good. At the death of his father, the 




THE LATE HENRY MASON, SR. 
THE LATE HENRY MASON, JR. JULIA C. MASON 



entertaining hospitably all who favor 
them with a visit. It is with pleasure 
that we present portraits of these aged 
and remarkable people. 



Telegraph and Pioneer. 

The Telegraph and Pioneer, as estab- 
lished in 1845, was a small sheet, 9x12, 
issued on Winnisimmet street by Benja- 
min Rivers and first called the Chelsea 
Pioneer. In 1848, it was enlarged to 
12^4 x 19^4, and issued semi-weekly. 
In 1857, it was united with the Chelsea 
Telegraph,a paper a year old, and hence- 
forth became known as the Telegraph 
and Pioneer, the publisher and editor 
being W. E. P. Haskell. March 24, 
[855, it passed into the possession of 



son assumed full control and continued 
the publication for twenty-one years, 
when after a long and continued illness, 
on June 9, 1895, his spirit took its flight 
homeward. Whether in the full panoply 
of war, striking vigorous blows for coun- 
try, or as a journalist, his honesty and 
integrity won for him unstinted praise. 
After the death of the son, the newspaper 
was sold, passing into the possession of 
Julia C. Mason, a daughter of Henry 
Mason, Sr.. and sister of the late editor. 
She became both proprietor and pub- 
lisher, and associated with herself as 
manager, Mr. Herbert F. Jenkins, a news- 
paper man of much executive ability, 
connected with the Boston Herald. A 
change was made in the form of the 
paper, the blanket sheet being set aside 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



i57 




JOHN C. PATRICK. 



desired to be relieved of too 
sponsibility and A. S. Arthur, a former 
editor and publisher of the Brookline 
Chronicle, assumed the position of editor 
and manager, Mr. Jenkins remaining to 
assist him. The Telegraph and Pioneer 
is the longest established newspaper in 
Chelsea, having a record of fifty-three 
years' existence, with the distinctive fea- 
ture of being in the possession of and 
conducted by members of the same 
family for forty-three years. 

Academy of Music. 

In possessing and supporting a first 
class theatre, Chelsea is distinguished 
among the several cities classed as the 
suburbs of Boston. The Academy of 



and an eight-page 
sheet taking its 
place, the first 
number being is- 
sued January 9, 
1 89 7. In the 
mea ntirae, the 
plant had been 
m o v e d to 18 
Fourth street. 
Under Mr. Jen- 
kins' management, 
the paper increased 
in strength and 
stands today as 
one of the pro- 
gressive suburban 
papers. In April 
1898, Mr. Jenkins 
great re 




JOHN H. RENIGER. 



Music is now in the twenty-eighth year of 
its life, and although in competition with 
the many theatres of Boston, readily holds 
its own. The house has a seating capac- 
ity of 1,358, and as well as presenting, in 
the theatrical season, the best plays by 
the same companies, same scenery and 
electrical effects as in the theatres of 
Boston, the house is also used for holding 
high class concerts, patriotic celebrations, 
political rallies, etc. The stage is 34x60, 
sufficiently large for the greatest spectac- 
ular production. The theatre is equipped 
with a regard for the comfort of both 
audience and talent. The house is hand- 
somely furnished inside, with drop cur- 
tain especially attractive to the eye. 
There are six means of exit, including 




ACADEMY OF MUSIC. 



i 5 8 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



three fire escapes. The lessees and man- 
agers, both men well up in the theatrical 
business, are John C. Patrick and John 
H. Reniger, the former having a cora- 
pany in Australia at the present time. 

Louis L. G. de Rochemont. 



This able young attorney holds the 
office of clerk of committees of the city 
government. He was born in Xewing- 
ton, N. H., 1872, and has resided in this 
city for the past six years. He obtained 
his education in the Portsmouth High 
school, from which he graduated with 




LOUIS L. G. DE ROCHEMONT. 
Photo by Pnrdy. 

honors. He then came to Boston and 
entered the class of '94 at Harvard col- 
lege. After studying in that university 
for two years, he decided to enter the 
legal profession, and with that aim in 
view, entered the law department of the 
Boston university. Taking the regular 
three years' course in two years, he was 
luated in 1S94, with cum laude hon- 
ors, securing an average of 85 per cent in 
his examinations. Just after he was 
twenty-one, but before graduating from 
the law school, he was admitted to the 
bar, since which time he has practiced. 
Since his election as clerk of committees 



in January, 1898, he has easily performed 
the important duties of his office. His 
law office is at 15 Court square, Boston. 
He is married and lives on Shurtleff 
street, is a member of the Central 
Congregational church, Young Men's 
Congregational club, the Students club, 
Chelsea Board of trade and Alter Ea:o club. 



Joseph M. Curley. 

A widely known member of the bar is 
Joseph M. Curley, clerk of the Police 
court of Chelsea, who was born in this 
city April 8, 1X64, and is a son of Martin 




JOSEPH M. CURLEY. 
Photo by Purdy. 

Curley, a resident of Chelsea for about 
half a century. He received his educa- 
tion in the local public schools and the 
Boston University Law school, graduating 
from the latter in 1889. Being admitted 
to the bar the same year, he commenced 
practice. In 1892, he was appointed to 
his present office by Governor Russell, 
being reappointed in 1897 for five years 
by Governor Wolcott. He is also one of 
the bail commissioners of Suffolk county, 
and is now serving his second term of 
three years. Outside of effectively dis- 
patching the duties of his office he has 
more or less practice, doing a probate 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



L59 



business. He is a member of the execu- 
tive committee of the Police District and 
Municipal Clerks of Courts association, 
and also a member of the Review club 
and the board of trade. 

Eben Hutchinson, Jr. 

The probation officer and assistant 
clerk of the police court of Chelsea, Eben 
Hutchinson, Jr., was born in this city in 
1870, and was educated at the Chelsea 
grammar and high schools, afterwards 
entering the Vermont Episcopal institute 
at Burlington, for a three years' course. 




EBEN HUTCHINSON JR. 

Photo by Purdy 

During the first year at this military 
school he was appointed captain of the 
cadets, the highest position in the gift of 
the institute, which office he held until 
graduating. He was appointed to his 
present office in the Chelsea police court 
in 189 1, where he has developed a system 
for efficiently conducting the responsible 
duties of the position. He entered the 
Boston University Law school for a two 
years' course and was admitted to the bar 
in 1895, and has since been admitted to 
practice as an attorney and counsellor-at- 
law in the circuit court of the United 
States. As probation officer he has 



about one hundred and fifty persons 
in his care. Mr. Hutchinson was 
married in 1S94, to Jessie Whitaker, 
of Bradford, Vermont. 



Harry W. James. 



One of the younger but able members 
of the Suffolk county bar is Harry W. 
James. He was born in Boston, Septem- 
ber 17, 1866. He obtained his early 
education in the public schools and under 
private instruction. He attended the 
Boston University Law school and gradu- 




HARRY W. JAMES. 

Photo by Purdy. 

ated in June, 1SS8. He was immediately 
admitted to the bar and commenced 
practice in Chelsea. Being one who 
looks closely after the interests of his 
clients, he has built up a lucrative prac- 
tice. For the last three years he has 
maintained an office in the Rogers build- 
ing. He has been a member of the city 
government and served in the common 
council in 1892, the year before that 
body was abolished. Since becoming a 
resident of Chelsea, he has taken an 
active part in local politics, and at the 
present time is vice-president of the 
Republican City committee. 



i6o 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



Colonel William Grantman. 

This private resident of Chelsea, whose 
influence has ever been exerted in main- 
taining the welfare of the municipality, 
was born in Xew York city in 1S39. 
Left an orphan at an early age, in 1849 
he went to Wakefield, New Hampshire, to 
live on a farm. Attending the district 
school winters, and doing the chores 
around the farm summers, he finish- 
ed his edu- 
cation a n d 
builtup a rug- 
ged physique 
which he has 
since retain- 
ed. After re- 
main i n g in 
New Hamp- 
shire for seven 
years he came 
to Bostonand 
went to work 
at the fur busi- 
ness for the 
old and well- 
known firm of 
Martin Hates 
&Sons. From 
[858 to the 
time of the 
breaking out 
of the war, he 
worked with 
that faithful- 
ness which 
wins the con- 
fidence of a 
boy' s em- 
ploye r . In 
April [861, 
he enlisted in 
Co. H, First Mass. Volunteers infantry, 
and went to the front in the first company 
leaving Chelsea, as a private. At black- 
burn's Ford, before the first battle of Bull 
Run, he was wounded. After his recov- 
ery in the fall, he returned to the regi- 
ment, but ill the following spring was 
again wounded in front ofYorktown. For 
gallant service, the following summer he 
received his discharge from Company H, 
to enable him to accept promotion as 




COLONEL WILLIAM GRANTMAN. 



captain o( Company A, Thirteenth New 
Hampshire volunteers. After serving as 
captain of that company for nearly a year, 
his valor was recognized by his promotion 
to major of the regiment, and the year 
after was further complimented by his 
promotion to lieutenant-colonel. In this 
last commissioned office he served until 
1864, when, on account of sickness, he 
returned to his home in New Hampshire. 
Upon his final recuperation, he returned 

to his former 
employers in 
the fur busi- 
ness where he 
has remained 
with unbrok- 
en continu- 
ance to the 
present time, 
h i s connec- 
tion with this 
leading firm 
covering a 
period of 
about forty 
years. Col. 
Grantman has 
for m a n y 
years been a 
member o f 
T heo d or e 
W i n t h r o p 
post G. A. R. 
After recover- 
ing from the 
effects of the 
war he mar- 
ried and has 
since m a d e 
his perma- 
nent home in 
this city. He 
is a member of Mystic lodge, I. O.O. F. 
and has been active in all movements 
concerning the prosperity and welfare oi 
Chelsea : and although frequently urged to 
accept public office, has preferred to re- 
main a private citizen. He is one of the 
trustees of the Chelsea Savings bank. 
Few men in any locality exert greater 
influence in a more unassuming way, 
and few are more popular in the 
locality in which they reside. 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



161 




DAVID SLADE. 

D. & L. Slade Company. 

In the year 1816 the general court of 
this commonwealth authorized the inhabi- 
tants of Chelsea to build a dam across 
Mill river in said town, to erect a suit- 
able mill thereon and to sell the same 
for such consideration and on such 
conditions as they might think proper. 
Acting upon this authority, the town of 
Chelsea sold to John Cutter, his heirs 
and assigns forever, the right to erect 
and maintain a tide water mill at this 
place. Some years later, Cutter con- 
veyed the property to one Stowels, who 
in turn sold it to Henry Slade, the 
father of the founders of the D. & L. 
Slade company. In 1837, David Slade, 
together with his brother Charles, hired 
a portion of the mill of their father and 
commenced the grinding of spices ; 
they were known as the first grinders of 
spices in this section. After a time 
Charles Slade withdrew from the con- 
cern and Levi Slade took his place, 
forming the firm of D. & L. Slade, 
which continued without change until 
the death of Mr. Levi Slade. Soon 
after this event the present corporation 



of D. & L. Slade company was formed 
under the laws of Massachusetts, the 
incorporators being David Slade, Wilbur 
L. Slade, Herbert L. Slade and Henry 
Dillingham. The officers were Wilbur 
L. Slade, president, David Slade, treas- 
urer, Henry Dillingham, secretary, who, 
with Herbert L. Slade, composed the 
board of directors. At the death of 
Wilbur L. Slade, George B. Milton was 
elected president : the present board of 
directors consisting of David Slade, 
George B. Milton, Henry Dillingham 
and George H. Carter. From the small 
beginning of grinding spices for the 
wholesale grocers, D. & L. Slade soon 
began to buy and sell spices ; by giving 
special attention to the quality of the 
ground spices they sold, and by refusing 
to put their name on any adulterated 
goods, they gradually gained a good 
reputation and their business rapidly 
increased. About twenty years ago, 
when a very large proportion of the 
spices sold were adulterated, they took 
the advanced position that they would 
neither grind nor sell adulterated goods 
of any kind. This was a bold step, for 
it was estimated that fullv seventv-five 




THE LATE LEVI SLADE. 



162 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



per cent of 
the spices 
sold at that 
time were 
adulterated ; 
but the fact 
that from 
that time 
their spice 
business in- 
c r e ased so 
rapidly that 
they were 
soon recog- 
nized as one 
of die largest 
i m porters 
and grinders 
of absolutely 
pure spices 
in the United 
States, fully 
d emonstrat- 
ed the wis- 
dom of this 
step. Being the first large spice grinders 
to take the position that they would sell 
only absolutely pure goods, it was but 
natural that this fact and the superior ex- 
cellence of their spices, mustard, cream 
tartar, herbs, etc., should give the consum- 
ers confidence, and that it should be com- 
monly said, "If it's Slade's, it is pure and 
good." In the early days of their busi- 
ness career they became impressed with 
the idea that a preparation for the quirk 
making of light, wholesome biscuit, cake, 




D. & L. SLADE COMPANY'S CHELSEA STORE AND FACTORY. 



etc., was 
needed, and 
after careful 
study and 
patient e x - 
p e rimenting 
they pro- 
duced the 
Congress 
yeast p o w - 
der, which, 
o n account 
of its super- 
ior excel- 
lence and 
convenience, 
quickly b e - 
came a ne- 
cessity in 
thousands of 
househol d s. 
X o t w i t h - 
standing the 
great a d - 
vance in the 
knowledge of chemistry and domestic 
science during the fifty years which have 
passed since the Congress yeast powder 
was put on the market, no preparation 
has been discovered that excels it in 
efficiency or healthfulness. It was the 
predecessor and pattern of many (if the 
baking powders of the present day, and 
few, if any, of these equal it in absolute 
purity and health-giving qualities, while 
many of the baking powders contain alum, 
lime, ammonia and other objectionable 




TIDE MILLS AT REVERE D. & L. SLADE COMPANY 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



163 



ingredients. During the long period that 
the Congress yeast powder has been on 
the market, there have been received 
thousands of testimonials. Among the 
prominent chemists and physicians who 
have certified to its absolute purity and 
wholesomeness are the following : Prof. 
S. P. Sharpies, Mass. State Assayer ; Prof. 
F. L. Bartlett, Maine State Assayer; 



spices, mustard, celery salt, curry powder, 
Congress yeast powder, etc., are sold, 
they become quickly known as the highest 
standard of purity and excellence. The 
rapid growth of their business has neces- 
sitated from time to time extensive addi- 
tions to their mills at Revere and to their 
factory at Chelsea. The history of this 
company, with its steadily increasing 




M. E. RICE. 



R. C. Stanley, A. M., Ph. D. ; Prof. J. F. 
Babcock ; Dr. B. F. Davenport ; Prof. E. 
E. Calder, Rhode Island State Assayer ; 
Stillwell & Gladding, Chemists to the New 
York Produce Exchange ; W. C. Tiki en, 
M. D., Ph. D. The business of the D. & 
L. Slade company is constantly extending 
as the superior excellence of their goods 



trade, demonstrates the fact that people 
appreciate goods of known purity and 
excellence. 



M. E. Rice. 



Chelsea's largest dry goods dealer, M. 
E. Rice, was born in Brookfield, Vt. 



becomes better known. Wherever their Coming to Massachusetts at an early age, 



164 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



he began his mercantile career as a clerk 
for the well-known firm of Hogg, Brown 
& Taylor, of Boston. After gaining a 
thorough knowledge of the business at 
that large establishment, he associated 
himself with Mr. Keene, and in 1872 
opened a dry goods store in Milford, 
Mass.. where he remained eight vears. 
His first attempt at business was crowned 
with success, although these were trying 
times for young merchants, as the country 
was 1 in t slowly recovering from the inflated 



M. E. Rice, as at that time Mr. Rice 
bought his partner's interest, and for the 
past seventeen years has been the pro- 
prietor of the largest and most progressive 
dry goods store in Chelsea, and one of 
the finest outside of Boston. Mr. Rice 
has ever been attentive to the wants of 
the people of Chelsea, and his large trade 
has been built up by a legitimate effort to 
serve the interests of his many customers. 
Four years after he came to this city, the 
store was increased to double its former 




RICE'S DRY GOODS STORE, BROADWAY. 



prices caused by the civil war. Prices 
for goods were proverbially on the decline, 
and it was only by persistent hard work 
and a (lose watch of the market that 
business could be made a success. In 
the fall of 1880, Mr. Rice came to Chelsea 
to look at the stock of Woodward & 
Lothrop at 222 Broadway, of which store 
he soon after took possession, and made 
his debut in business in this city. The 
new firm was Rice & Miller, but at the 
expiration of two years the firm became 



size by the addition of the store adjoining, 
numbering 224 Broadway. This was done 
when Mr. Rice's foresight prompted him 
to see the possibility of holding and in- 
creasing the trade at his now handsome 
and prosperous store. The partitions 
between the two stores were removed, and 
the big establishment filled with goods 
that would meet the demand of the people 
of this vicinity. That this enterprising 
venture was appreciated was apparent 
from the beginning, customers finding 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



165 



that they could purchase their dry goods 
at this progressive store at as low prices 
as was possible across the bridge in 
Boston, and with much less trouble. In 
September, 1897, it was determined to 
make the union of the two stores complete 
by changing the front, making a large 
single entrance with whole French plate 
glass windows on each side, and which 
now gives the complete and finished 
appearance of the strictly up-to-date drv 



several different purchases to make. The 
departments are, viz. : men's furnishings, 
linens and domestics, wrappers and waists, 
infants' wear, handkerchiefs and laces, 
dress goods and linings, corsets and un- 
derwear, gloves and hosiery, small wares 
and notions. There are fifteen clerks 
employed in the several departments, 
besides the bookkeeper and cashier. 
During the busy season this force is in- 
creased as the occasion demands, while 




INTERIOR FROM REAR OF M. E. RICE'S STORE. 



goods store. The store is 120 feet deep 
and 40 feet wide, finished in ash, which, 
with abundant overhead light, make it a 
most desirable place to select goods. All 
the fixtures in the several departments 
are of the newest patterns. The Lamson 
cash carrier is the system used in making 
change, and seemingly endless waiting is 
something unknown here. There are 
several separate and distinct departments 
in the store, under such management as 
to make it easy for customers who have 



during the holiday season, fifty persons 
are employed. In this connection it may 
be said that the efficient service provided 
by the clerks of this store has done no 
little to increase the large trade enjoyed. 
Shopping at this store is considered a 
pleasure by the feminine element. While 
the place is naturally a headquarters for 
ladies and their shopping lists, the depart- 
ment where men's furnishings are kept is 
well patronized. Here the array of neck- 
wear, shirts, collars, cuffs and other articles 



i66 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



of wearing apparel attract a generous 
patronage. Few stores indeed present 
greater inducements than this to the 
public, and certainly none have done 
more towards appraising Chelsea people 
of the fact that it pays in more than one 
way to patronize home stores. This store 
enjoys the confidence of the people of 
Chelsea, and will continue to grow to 
meet the demands of the times. Mr. 
Rice has never sought political honors. 
but has always taken a keen interest in 
the citv's welfare, ^'hen the Winnisim- 



corner of Broadway and Everett avenue. 
The store is known as one of the finest in 
the suburbs of Boston, a large stock of 
high-grade goods being carried and a high 
class of trade supplied. The store is a 
headquarters for fancy groceries and is 
kept in the best order at all times. The 
proprietor is one of Chelsea's most ener- 
getic and public-spirited business men. 



Jesse Gould & Son. 



This firm is one of the largest and 




INTERIOR JEWELRY STORE, F. C. KIBBY, BROADWAY. 



met bank was charted he became one of 
the directors, of which board he is still a 
member. He is also one of the trustees 
of the Count}' Savings bank of this city, 
and stands in the front ranks of energetic 
and enterprising dry goods merchants of 
the Boston market. 

Charles L. Noyes & Co. 



The oldest established grocery store in 
the city is that conducted for the past 
seven years by C. L. Noyes & Co., at the 



oldest insurance agencies in the suburbs 
of Boston, and is located in their own 
building on Broadway, and having their 
Boston office at No. 50 Kilby street. The 
business of this agency was established by 
the late Jesse Gould in 1856. He was 
president of the Chelsea Mutual Insur- 
ance company which retired from business 
in 1S66. The founder of this firm was 
one of the most active men of Chelsea, 
was a member of the city government, to 
which body he added strength of char- 
acter and noble purpose. He was one of 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



167 




C. L. NOYES &.CO.S GROCERY STORE, BROADWAY AND EVERETT AVE. 




INTERIOR C. L. NOYES & CO.'S STORE. 



i6S 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



the committee on the 
water when the present 
works was installed. 
From the prominent 
part he took in fur- 
thering the best inter- 
ests of the city, and 
the esteem in which 
he was held in the 
community, his death 
in 1872 removed one 
whose influence for 
good wis far-reach- 
ing. In 1 86 1 his son, 
Jesse Gould, Jr., be- 
came associated with 
him and continued in 
the firm until his re- 
tirement from active 
business in 1893. The 
concern now consists 
of C. Willis and James 



introduction of 
m stem of water 




THE LATE JESSE GOULD 



firm comprises handsome quarters, of 
which an illustration is shown. The busi- 
ness which has been 
established so many 
years is conducted on 
a conservative basis, 
the m a g n itude of 
which enables the firm 
to select the leading 
companies of the 
world to represent. 
The list of the twenty- 
eight stock and seven 
mutual fire insurance 
companies of this 
agency have aggregate 
assets of $140,000,- 
000, and comprise the 
most substantial and 
reliable companies in 
the world. The pres- 
ent bu i lding, now 





C. WILLIS GOULD. 



JAMES GOULD. 



Gould, also sons of the founder, the busi- 
ness still being carried on under the name 
of Jesse Gould & Son. The office of the 



owned and occupied by the firm, was 
built in 1885, and, as it possesses all 
modern improvements, is one of the most 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



169 



desirable of Chelsea business structures. 
The affairs of the Provident Co-operative 
bank, the business of which institution is 
under the care of the firm, the secretary 
and treasurer being C. Willis Gould, are 
managed in this office. Both members of 
the firm are known as men of probity of 
character and unquestioned integrity. 
Both are identified with financial interests 
outside of their business and have served 



firm of T. H. Lane & Co. are enabled to 
present as desirable a stock of clothing, 
hats, caps and furnishings before their 
large trade as any concern in Boston ; and 
since opening the present store in Win- 
nisimet square have demonstrated that 
they are also able and determined to put 
forward as low prices. If all stores doing 
business in the suburbs of Boston followed 
their example, there would, in the opinion 




INTERIOR INSURANCE OFFICE, JESSE GOULD & SON, BROADWAY. 



in the city government, adding their full 
quota to the affairs of the city. James 
Gould was the first treasurer of the Chelsea 
Board of trade, and both are well-known 
figures in social life. 



T. H. Lane & Co. 



From advantageous connections with 
two other large clothing stores, one at 
Cambridge and another at Lowell, the 



of the writer, be less necessity for the pro- 
verbial complaint about people going to 
Boston for everything they need. A 
modern store conducted under up-to-date 
methods is no less appreciated here than 
elsewhere, the business of this well-patron- 
ized clothing store demonstrating this 
beyond doubt. The store has the advan- 
tage of the best location, and since re- 
modeled and refitted by the present firm, 
is possessed of strong drawing qualities. 



I 70 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



It was in December, 1S97, that the firm 
of T. H. Lane & Co., composed of Messrs. 
T. H. Lane and \V. G. Keene, the latter 
being the resident partner, purchased the 
bankrupt stock of what was then known 
as the People's Clothing store, and pro- 
ceeded to clean out the old stock at prices 
which made it an easy task. After this 
the store was entirely remodeled and 
refitted throughout, new shelving, count- 
ers, show cases, etc, were put in, and the 



supplies several other stores, the firm 
being able to buy at such prices as to do 
this. Low prices are always in order 
here and the clerks are all of them well 
known to the trade. The proprietors are 
both young men of unusual energy and 
business capacity, and their several stores 
are all leaders in their communities. 

C A. Merriam. 

Mr. Merriam is probably the most 




INTERIOR CLOTHING STORE OF T. H. LANE & CO. 



cashier's desk moved and elevated. The 
fittings of the store are of oak, the front 
of mahogany, and the show cases and 
mirrors are of French plate glass. The 
establishment is lighted by both gas and 
electricity. The store is 125 feet deep 



and about 



feet in width. Men's, 



youths', boys' and children's clothing of 
all grades, with hats, caps and men's 
furnishings comprise the stock. As well 
as doing a large retail business, the store 



widely known among the real estate men 
of Chelsea. He was born in Boston in 
1 84 1, but came to reside in this city when 
quite young and has since lived here con- 
tinuously. He has had ample oppor- 
tunities to learn of the city's expansion 
and growth, and to take an active part in 
its development, since the days when 
Medford street was entirely submerged in 
water and Campbell's wharf was a sandy 
beach, where baptisms frequently took 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



171 



place. He graduated from the public 
schools and later enlisted in company H, 
Fourth Unattached Massachusetts regi- 
ment, serving with distinction. Mr. 
Merriam's father was a successful wall 
paper manufacturer, doing business in 
both Boston and Chelsea. This industry, 
founded so many years ago, is still car- 
ried on on Marshall street, Boston. After 
the war, father and son became associated 
in the man- 
agement of 
the real es- 
tate business 
est ablished 
by the late 
John Fenno, 
a prominent 
operator of 
nearly a half 
century ago, 
with office on 
W i n n isim- 
met street. 
Merriara, 
S r . , pur- 
chased this 
business in 
1857 and, in 
turn, was 
succ e e d e d 
by his son 
twenty years 
later, al- 
though the 
latter had 
previ o u s 1 y 
been inti- 
mately con- 
nected with 
i t s affairs. 
T h u s the 
business i s 
the oldest as well as the largest in the 
city. Mr. Merriam's transactions in this 
vicinity have reached an immense figure 
— perhaps aggregating more than all 
other agents combined. His sales for 
the year of 1896 alone amounted to 
$500,000. His eminent financial sagacity 
was realized and appreciated in his choice 
as one of the members of the sinking fund 
commission, a position he has held for 
over twelve years. He is a member of 




Theodore Winthrop post, 35, G.A.R., has 
served as chaplain and has been treasurer 
of the relief fund for fourteen years. He 
is also a member of Robert Lash lodge, 
F. & A. M., Pilgrim Fathers, Royal Arca- 
num, Knights of Honor, Chelsea Mutual 
Benevolent association, Board of trade, 
and has been general grand vice-president 
of the American Order of Fraternal help- 
ers. Mr. Merriara has been honored 

with a seat 
in both 
branches of 
the city gov- 
ernment, 
His religious 
a ff i liations 
are with the 
First Baptist 
church, and 
he is a mem- 
ber of the 
standing 
c o m m ittee 
of the so- 
ciety. Mr. 
Merriam 
may be de- 
scribed as a 
most sub- 
stantial deal- 
er in a most 
su bs tantial 
line of 
goods. 



C. A. MERRIAM. 



C M. 

Coburn. 

Independ- 
ence e and 

m a r k e d 
business 
ability are characteristics of C. M. Coburn, 
the manager of the Liberty Oil company, 
whose pumping station is in this city, and 
office in the Chelsea Savings bank build- 
ing. The name of this company is the 
standard bearer of its operations and, 
headed by its successful manager, has for 
nine years existed, prospered and grown 
with rapid strides. This company, to tell 
the story in a few words, is one which 
has proven its ability and inclination to 



I 72 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



conduct its own busi- 
ness without regard 
for the enmity of the 
oil trust ; and, by the 
competition it creates, 
oil is sold in the locali- 
ties where its opera- 
tions extent!, from one 
to three cents a gallon 
less. It is, therefore, 
a benefit ; and the 
record of its business 
each year shows its 
efforts are appreciat- 
ed. The resources 
are much greater than 
one would ordinarily 
suppose, and the mag- 
nitude of its business 
would be surprising 
for many to learn. 
The pumping station 
is situated on the 




C. M. COBURN. 



Boston & Maine rail- 
road, near the Chelsea 
depot. From this, 
three tank teams, 
each with a capacity 
of 800 gallons, supply 
the stores in Chelsea, 
E v e r e 1 1 , Revere, 
Beachmont, Charles- 
town, Neponset, At- 
lantic and Wollaston. 
The storage of the 
company is at East 
Cambridge, w here 
100,000 gallons are 
usually kept in stock. 
There, also, the bar- 
relling and coopering 
are done, and from 
that point the com- 
pany fill all orders for 
oil in barrels. Water- 
town and Newton are 




INTERIOR C. A. MERRIAM'S REAL ESTATE OFFICE. 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



1 73 



also large purchasers of their products. 
While enormous quantities of oil are 
distributed, their operations are by no 
means confined to that, naptha, gasolene, 
engine and dynamo oils are dealt in in 
much larger quantities. The facilities and 
opportunities for receiving are fully as 
advantageous as are those of the trust, 
gas companies, large manufacturing plants 
and railroads being large consumers of 
the com- 
pany's goods, 
i ,000,000 
gallons being 
supplied one 
concern dur- 
ing last year, 
their trade 
e x t e n d i ng 
from the 
Maritime 
provinces to 
Florida. The 
fact that the 
company has 
outlived 
seven con- 
cerns who 
have failed to 
meet the bit- 
t e r opposi- 
tion of the 
oil magnates, 
is as remark- 
able as the 
large busi- 
ness carried 
on by this 
company. 
Nine years 
ago, at the 
start, one 
carload of oil 

would last the company six weeks ; now, 
from the station here in Chelsea alone, a 
carload daily is required to fill the orders. 
For its teaming, including its own and 
those engaged by contract, thirty horses 
are required. 200,000 gallons a month 
are disposed of from the Chelsea station 
alone. The energetic manager is a native 
of Maine and has been a resident of 
Chelsea for the past twenty-seven years. 
The Lynn & Boston railroad, for whom 




C. H. FAUNCE. 



he worked three months as a horse car 
driver, a year and a half as conductor, 
and later, four or five years in the receiv- 
er's and treasurer's office, he now supplies 
with oils. His connection with the oil 
business dates back to his association with 
the late J. Blaisdell, of Chelsea, by whom 
he was employed as bookkeeper and sales- 
man for a number of years. After build- 
ing up and controlling a large trade, he 

a s s o c i a ted 
himself with 
A 1 d e n 

5 pea re's Sons 

6 Co., with 
whom he re- 
mained fif- 
teen years as 
agent, having 
charge of the 
refined oil, 
naptha and 
gas oil de- 
part m ents, 
friendly busi- 
ness relations 
h a v ing ex- 
tended with 
that concern 
to the present 
time. Mr. 
Coburn re- 
sides on Con- 
gress avenue, 
and is a man 
whose ster- 
ling integrity 
and individu- 
ality of action 
are well 
kno w n in 
business 
circles. 

C. H. Faunce. 



This well-known resident of Chelsea 
has achieved a high position and an envi- 
able reputation, as a funeral director and 
embalmer, in this city and vicinity. His 
ancestry in this country dates back to 
John Faunce, who embarked from Eng- 
land on the "Goode ship Anne," second 
vessel which landed at Plymouth. The 
grandfather of Mr. Faunce removed to 



174 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



Oxford, Me., from Plympton, formerly a 
part of Plymouth, where the subject of 
this sketch was born, forty-eight years 
ago. Entering upon his own resources 
when a mere boy, he was for eleven years 
engaged in the woolen manufacturing 
business, after which time he attended 
the New Hampshire Conference seminary 
with the view of entering the ministry. 
1 hiring his preparatory course his health 
failed him, and he was obliged to abandon 
the profession he had chosen. After a 
year's illness he went to Summersvvorth 
and engaged in the undertaking business, 
which has risen from 
a mere mechanical 
trade to the dignity 
of a profession, and 
which is his present 
avocation. It was in 
May, 1887, that he 
came to Chelsea and 
bought out George 
Studley on Broadway, 
his establishment be- 
ing at the present 
time one of the finest 
in the suburbs of Bos- 
ton. He is a gradu- 
ate of both Clark's 
and the Egyptian 
schools of embalming, 
and his naive urbanity 
and kindly feeling 
have done much to 
soften the blow where 
he has officiated in 
cases of bereavement 
in Chelsea and vicin- 
ity. Mr. Faunce is 
a prominent member of several secret 
orders and social organizations, namely : 
Sons of American revolution ; Knights 
Templar Masons ; member of encamp- 
ment I. O. O. F. ; I. O. R. M. ; Knights 
of Pythias; Order of American Mechanics; 
Knights of Malta and Massachusetts Un- 
dertakers' association. 

Prescott Chamberlain. 




PRESCOTT CHAMBERLAIN 



being in this city, with branches also in 
Roxbury and Xewtonville. He had re- 
sided in Chelsea over twenty years, taking 
a great interest in whatever conduces to 
its welfare and advancement. He is a 
native of the historical town of Bristol, 
Lincoln county, Maine, where he was 
born Dec. 11, 1S45. His education was 
received in the Portland, Maine, public 
schools, his parents removing to that city 
when he was quite young. He came to 
Boston in 1S71 with the old firm of 
Marr Brothers, as bookkeeper. This firm 
was burned out in the great Boston fire, 
but continued in their 
employ for some time 
after that event. On 
their retiring from 
business, he became 
bookkeeper for Hon. 
C.A. Campbell, where 
he remained some 
three years, leaving 
there to enter the 
insurance business 
some eighteen years 
ago. He has built 
up a very lucrative 
business, and repre- 
sents a large list of 
our best American 
and foreign insurance 
companies, his pat- 
onage being of a 
most desirable class. 
He is a veteran of 
the Civil war, having 
served in a Maine 
regiment, enlisting 
when a mere boy. and 
serving to the end of the war. He is of 
revolutionary stock and president of Old 
Suffolk chapter, S. A. R., and a member 
of the state board of the same society. 
He is a Knight Templar and member of 
the Review and Boston Art clubs. 



A. W. Cheney. 



This well-known resident is engaged in 
the insurance and real estate business in 
Chelsea and boston — his principal office 



The name of this well-known citizen is 
synonymous with the oldest and largest 
express business in Chelsea, established 
many years ago by Wilson Cheney, the 
pioneer expressman. His son, A. VV. 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



J 75 




A. W. CHENEY. 



Cheney, established himself in the express- 
ing business forty-one years ago. The 
growth of this business has been steady, 
and the enterprise has assumed its present 
large proportions and become an indis- 
pensable public service as a natural 
result of the many years it has existed. 
The headquarters are at the stables on 
Eleanor street, near Broadway. Fifteen 
horses and as many teams, including 
heavy trucks, are found necessary to con- 
duct the business. This company is fully 
abreast of the times, and is managed on a 
vastly different plan from the oldtime 
express, which consisted of jobbing. It 
makes two regular trips daily to and from 
Boston, order slates dotting every section. 
Special teams are always to be availed of 
when necessary to properly accomodate 
the public. From the headquarters, 
freight is forwarded to all parts of the 
United States and Canada. The company 
also forwards manufacturers' freight to 
and from all railroads, a large business 
being done in this line. From twelve to 
fourteen men are employed. Mr. Cheney 
has for the past kw years had the able 
assistance of two of his sons, one of whom 
is bookkeeper and the other messenger. 



The head of the express company, A. W. 
Cheney, was born in this city about sixty 
years ago. Has been connected with this 
business since his sixteenth year, and his 
face is probably a familiar one in nearly 
every house in Chelsea, while his acquaint- 
ance extends far and wide in business 
circles. He served in the Chelsea city 
government in 1872-73, is a member of 
the Odd Fellows and Knights of Honor, 
and one of the many interested citizens 
of Chelsea. 

William Stinson, M. D. V. 



Standing at the head of his profession 
as a veterinary surgeon is Dr. Stinson, 
who has been a resident of Chelsea for 
fully forty years. He was born in Calais, 
Me., and is of Scotch descent. He has 
a strong regard for the equine race, and 
having devoted his life to their care and 
handling, has a profound knowledge of 
their ills. He was a graduate of the N. Y. 
College of Veterinary Surgeons in 1S91, 
since which time he has practiced with 
marked success, his skill in curing diseases 
of animals winning him a reputation 
second to none in this vicinity and many 
other localities. His office is at Cobb's 




WILLIAM STINSON, M. D. V. 



1 76 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



stable, on Broadway, and lie resides at 
269 Chestnut street. His practice is by 
no means confined to Chelsea, his serv- 
ices being regularly called for in East 
Boston, Charlestown, Everett, Revere, 
Winthrop and Maiden Centre. He has 
done much work for this city, inspects all 
cattle used by the New England Vaccine 
Co., and is veterinarian as well for the 
Lynn & Boston R. R. company. He is a 
member o f 
the U.S. Vet. 
Med. associa- 
tion , the 
Alumni of N. 
V. College of 
Vet. surgeons, 
the A. O. U. 
W., the Order 
of Eraternal 
helpers and 
Clan Camp- 
bell of the 
Scottish 
(dans. Dr. 
S t i n s o n is 
popular in a 
large circle of 
friends, a s 
well as being 
one of the 
most skilful 
veterinarians 
in this state. 



Edward B. 
Douglas. 




This well- 
known funer- 
al director 
was born in 
Portland, 

Maine, forty-four years ago, and is in 
every sense a self-made man. One of a 
family of eleven children, his father, who 
was a sea captain, died at sea when the 
subject of this sketch was nine years old, 
necessitating his earning his own livelihood 
at this early age, and obtaining his educa- 
tion after his day's work was done. Being 
of sturdy Scotch descent, and imbued 
with his ancestors' desire for knowledge, 
he secured a practical education under 



EDWARD B. DOUGLAS. 



adverse circumstances, at the same time 
being of material assistance to his widowed 
mother. At fifteen he came to Boston 
and learned the trade of a sawmaker, in 
which work he was engaged for some six 
years. He came to Chelsea some twenty 
odd years ago, and after preparing him- 
self for a professional nurse, was engaged 
in that vocation for some years. He has 
been associated with the undertaking 

business for 
the past 
twelve years 
i n Chelsea, 
having offici- 
ated in many 
cases of 
bereavement, 
always exer- 
cising that 
n a t u r a 1 1 y 
kindly man- 
ner and skill 
w h i c h lias 
won for him 
a high repu- 
tation. His 
first five years 
were devoted 
to managing 
for the widow 
of the late 
James Lvnde, 
Jr., whose 
w a r e r ooms 
were first 
1 o c ated on 
Third street, 
later at 299 
Broadway. It 
was six years 
ago last Oc- 
tober that he 
bought out her interest, good-will, and 
started in for himself, removing to his 
present handsomely fitted up establish- 
ment at 411 Broadway, November, 1897, 
having purchased the entire building and 
fitted up the warerooms. He is a gradu- 
ate of Clark's School of Embalming, and 
a member of the Massachusetts Under- 
takers' association. He is a member of 
a long list of social and fraternal organi- 
zations, viz. : a Knight Templar Mason 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



x 77 




C. H. BLACK. 



tain about fifty horses and a large 
number of wagons. Under his father, 
he received a practical and valuable 
experience in road building and gen- 
eral street work, and in 1887 he was 
appointed superintendent of streets, 
in which capacity he served for a 
period of eight years. When the 
office was combined with that of 
the city engineer, he retired, but for 
several months has acted in the ca- 
pacity at the request of the highway 
committee. Outside of his large 
teaming business and duties in his 
temporary position as superintendent 
of streets, Mr. Black is harbor master 
of Chelsea ; treasurer of the New 
England Smoke Consumer Co. He 
is a member of Robert Lash lodge, 
Shekinah chapter, Napthali council, 
Palestine commandery and Aleppo 
Temple, Mystic shrine ; Mystic lodge, 
I. O.O. F. ; Order of Fraternal Help- 
ers ; Massachusetts Benefit Associa- 
tion ; New England Order of Protec- 
tion ; American Legion of Honor ; 
Alter Ego and Review clubs, and 
Chelsea Board of trade. Mr. Black is a 
republican in politics. In 1S74 he was 
Born in Swanville, Me., Charles Henry married to Jennette Jameson Brown. 

Black is a descendant of the early New They have had five children : Maude 

England settlers, his great-great-grand- Sawyer, a recent graduate of Wellesley 

father coming to Chelsea in 1765. 

His father was William Henry Black, ' ; ' 

who served in the Civil war as cap- 
tain of company K, 26th Maine 

regulars. On the maternal side his 

ancestry took a prominent part in 

the early affairs of the "pine tree" 

state. Young Black was educated in 

the common schools and in 1870 

entered mercantile life in the employ 

of Dwinell & Co., wholesale tea and 

coffee dealers, where he remained 

two years. He then became associ- 
ated with O'Hara & Bullard, gaining 

business experience in Boston and 

New York city. Upon the decease 

of his father, in 1S75, he purchased 

from the heirs his present large 

teaming business, which for several 

years has been conducted by the C. 

H. Black Co. of which he is mana- 
ger and treasurer. His stables con- mccann block, broadway. 



C H. Black. 




i 7 8 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



college, Jennette Chester, Stephen Miller 
(died Dec. 6, 1887), Martha Louise 
and Grace Libby. Mr. Black resides 
with his family on Washington avenue. 

William Hart Taylor. 

A resident of Chelsea for the past 
fourteen years and a man well up in his 
vocation is William Hart Taylor, the well- 
known architect. Although his business 
life has made him an adopted resident of 
this city, he was brought up in the granite 
state and is a New Hampshire "boy." 
He received his education at Penacook 




Chipman and the Hersom Brothers. The 
new quarters of the County Savings bank 
were also fitted up under his plans and 
direction. His reputation extends out- 
side the limits of Boston and he was the 
architect on the new Everett school. He 
is a member of the Chelsea Board of 
trade, Alter Ego club, A. O. U. W., and 
V. M. C. A., of Chelsea. 



George E. Morrill. 

A prominent resident of Chelsea is 
George E. Morrill, who enjoys the distinc- 
tion of being the oldest grocer in the city. 




WILLIAM HART TAYLOR. 

academy and for the past ten years has 
been an architect and draftsman, starting 
in the office of C. A. Wellington & Co., 
one of the best-known firms of Boston, 
and who had offices at 44 Boylston street. 
Since opening his present office at 6 
Beacon street, Boston, Mr. Taylor has 
drawn the plans for several of the more 
modern Chelsea buildings and his talent 
has received much public commendation. 
Among the structures standing as conclu- 
sive evidence of his skill may be particu- 
larly mentioned the gateway at Woadlawn, 
the handsome residences of Dr. W. R. 



GEORGE E. MORRILL. 

A formal introduction to the reader by 
the columns of this souvenir is therefore 
unnecessary, as he is known not only by 
the patrons of his store but in other circles 
of life. His commercial career has been 
marked by decided successes, and he 
stands particularly high in the esteem of 
the wholesale trade. He was born in 
Boston, May 1 1, 1844, coming to Chelsea 
at the age of eleven and finishing his 
education in the public schools of this 
city. He enlisted in company H, 43rd 
Mass. regiment, in 1862, and continued 
in the service until the expiration of his 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



i 79 



term of enlistment. He has been a 
member of both branches of the city gov- 
ernment and was chosen to the house of 
representatives in 1SS5 and 1SS6, from 
the twenty-sixth Suffolk district. As a 
legislator of the city and state, he wisely 
and thoroughly cared for the interests of 
his ward or district, yet with an eye to 
the common good. He resides in one 
of Chelsea's comely residences on Wash- 
ington ave- 
nue. He is a 
man of ster- 
1 i n g integ- 
rity, and is 
one of the 
trust e es of 
the Chelsea 
Savings bank 
of which in- 
stitution h e 
is also vice- 
president 
and member 
of the invest- 
ment c o m- 
mittee. He 
is an active 
member of 
the Central 
C o ng r e g a - 
tional church 
and has been 
prominently 
associated in 
the work of 
the Sunday 
school, hav- 
ing served as 
superintend- 
ent. Mr. 
Morrill's 
place of busi- 
ness is at the corner of Williams and 
Chestnut streets. He has a most desir- 
able patronage. 




Photo by Purdy. 



WALLACE SPOONER. 



Wallace Spooner. 

Born in Boston, but for seventeen 
years a resident of this city, Wallace 
Spooner has become known as a leading 
and representative citizen. In 1881 he 
was married to S. Challis, daughter of 



James S. and Julia Challis. Mrs. Spooner 
died in December, 1897. Upon his 
marriage, Mr. Spooner made his home 
here and he has fully identified himself 
with Chelsea, showing intense interest in 
its development and progress. He has 
also been associated with its civic affairs, 
and has always shown a readiness to 
devote his time and give the benefit of 
his experience in behalf of every move- 
ment that 
has for its 
object t h e 
promotion of 
the city's 
welfare in 
both its ma- 
terial and 
moral ad- 
vancement. 
Mr. Spooner 
is a master 
printer, and 
since 1882 
has success- 
ful lly con- 
ducted the 
business es- 
tablished in 
Boston in 
1856 by his 
father, John 
S. Spooner, 
which he has 
continue d 
without i n - 
ter mission 
therefore for 
sixteen 
years. Since 
becoming an 
adopted 
resident o f 
Chelsea, Mr. Spooner has taken his full 
part in the handling of public affairs. In 
1894 he was a member of the lower 
branch of the city government, represent- 
ing ward one and serving on the commit- 
tees of printing and street lighting. So 
acceptable were his services as a member 
of the common council, that upon the 
abolishment of that body, he was urged 
to accept the nomination to the board of 
aldermen, but at the time private business 



i8o 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



demands upon his time and attention 
were so pressing and of such a type that 
he was obliged to decline. Since 1888 
he has been a member of the Independ- 
ent Order of Odd Fellows, and in 1896 
was noble grand of Mystic lodge, No. 51. 
For several years was a member of the 
First Mass. Volunteer militia, and at the 
time of his retirement was a member of 
the non-commissioned staff of the regi- 
ment. Af- 
fable and 
agreeable in 
the social re- 
1 a t i o n s of 
life, prompt 
and reliable 
i n business 
affairs, the 
s u b j ec t of 
this sketch 
co mman d s 
the regard of 
his friends 
and the re 
sp e c t and 
esteem of 
his fellow 
citizens. 



Franklin 
Osgood 
Barnes. 




IFRANKLIN O. BARNES. 



One whose 
long service 
in public life 
has m a d e 
a prominent 
resident o f 
Chelsea is 
franklin O. 
Barnes. He 

was born in Chelsea, Nov. 14, 184 1, a son of 
lien II. Barnes, who moved here in [839 
and who died after having been a promi- 
nent factor in the affairs of the place. 
The son was educated in the Chelsea 
public schools and enlisted in the service 
private, but soon after was made a 
corporal in company H, 43rd Mass. vol- 
unteers, and engaged in action in North 
Carolina just before his twenty-first birth- 
day. His company carried the regiment 



colors and he saw active service. After 
retirement from the army he was offered 
a position in the Internal Revenue service 
at lloston, where for several years he was 
employed. In 1874 he was made clerk 
of the police court of Chelsea and served 
in that capacity until 1879, when the 
office was abolished. Since that time he 
has been in the public eye almost contin- 
uously and has conducted a legal business, 

being well 
versed on all 
matters of 
law. He en- 
tered the city 
government 
in 1 8 7 o , 
serving that 
and the fol- 
lowing year, 
a n d w a s 
a g a i n re- 
elected in 
1875 and 
'76, both of 
which terms 
he was pres- 
ident of the 
c o m m o n 
council. In 
1878 he was 
elected a 
member o f 
t h e school 
b oa r d, for 
three years 
since which 
time he has 
served con- 
tinu ously, 
now for the 
twentieth 
year. In 
18S9 he was made a member of the state 
legislature, being re-elected in 1890, '95, 
'96 and '97, being appointed and serving 
on important committees and taking an 
active part in the house. He was popular 
among members of the legislature and 
was mentioned for speaker by a Boston 
daily. Mr. Barnes is prominent in secret 
and fraternal societies. He is a past 
commander and a charter member of 
Theodore Winthrop post, G. A. R., past 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



181 



master of Robert Lash lodge F. & A. M. 
and a member of St. John's chapter. He 
is past regent of Crescent council Royal 
Arcanum, past master workman and for 
the last eighteen years has been recorder 
of Bay State lodge A. O. U. W. ; past 
grand chief Knights of the Golden Eagle 
of Massachusetts ; past grand leader in 
the Home Circle and a member of its 
supreme council. He is also a past 



¥ 



$ 




N. DODGE. 



president of Garfield lodge and member 
of the general grand lodge Ancient Order 
Fraternal Helpers. He has shown a 
marked interest in the city of his birth 
and has a wide acquaintance. 

G. N. Dodge. 



Well known in Chelsea as a good citi- 
zen, and in this and surrounding cities 
and towns as a most energetic business 
man, is G. N. Dodge, the wholesale 
produce dealer, whose storehouse is situ- 
ated at the corner of Sixth and Walnut 
streets, and who resides on Washington 
avenue. He was born in Essex, Mass., 
forty-seven years ago, and has resided 
in Chelsea since he engaged in the 
retail grocery business here some years 



ago. Selling out his business to Rogers 
& Cuthbertson, he went into the whole- 
sale grocery business, his success being 
the result of ceaseless energy and advan- 
tages secured in buying goods. He han- 
dles the product of three Vermont 
creameries, viz : La Moil river, Pesumpsic 
and Hillside at Windsor, the product of 
the last taking the second prize at the 
World's fair. Mr. Dodge began business 
life on a wholesale candy team, and car- 
ried on a successful business in supplying 
the trade in that line for fifteen years. 
Although by no means wealthy, Mr. 
Dodge has built up a large trade, and is 
perhaps one who would have achieved 
success in almost anything he undertook. 
He is strongly devoted to his business 
and no less so to his family, which com- 




GEORGE H. JONES. 

prises an excellent helpmeet, two boys 
and three girls, all of whom he is justly 
proud for their display of talent in differ- 
ent directions. His summer home is at 
Conomo point, near Gloucester. 

George H. Jones. 

One of the most familiar figures of 
Chelsea for more than fifty years was 



£S2 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



the late William Jones, father of the 
subject of this sketch, and who first en- 
g _< (1 in the steam and gas fitting busi- 
ness which he conducted in Chelsea for 
several years, inventing the Jones Empire 
Gas burner, on the same principles of 
which invention all gas heaters are now 
made. Later he engaged in the milk 
business, and finally became a large real 
estate owner. He was born in England 
and when only ten years old travelled 
over the mountains in Wales to where his 
ancestors were born. Some sixty years 
ago he sailed for New York and from 
there went almost to 
Florida, which was 
then a wild country. 
He afterwards twice 
started for Europe 
but was shipwrecked 
on both voyages. 
During one of these 
disasters which befell 
him he is said to have 
saved several from 
drowning the descend- 
ants of whom are 
now living in Chelsea. 
William Jones w a s 
therefore esteemed by 
all who knew him, 
and his business asso- 
ciates considered him 
a man far above the 
average in honesty 
and integrity and one 
possessed of christian 
principle. His death 
occurred some four 
years ago, a wife and 
seven children surviving him, one 
of whom is represented in the previous 
engraving and is a well-known resident 
of this city. He is a member of 
several of its organizations, includ- 
ing the board of trade. He is also 
one of the trustees and treasurer of the 
Winnisimmet Real Estate association 
and has well earned the reputation 
accorded him, that of being a most active 
and successful young business man. He 
is engaged in the real estate business, 
with an office at 10 Tremont street. I lost on. 



F. E. Winslow. 



F. £. 

Photo by Purdy. 



This old resident of Chelsea conducts 
a prosperous plumbing business with store 
and shop on Broadway, and holds the 
office of inspector of plumbing. He is a 
native of the state of Maine, and since he 
was thirteen years of age, at which time 
his father, who was a sea captain and lost 
at sea, he has resided in Chelsea. It was 
at that early age, after he came with his 
sister to live with his aunt, that he started 
to shift for himself, as the term goes, and 
can therefore be termed a self-made man. 
He learned his trade 
with Mr. Kent, and 
for nearly thirty years 
has been engaged in 
business in Boston 
a n d Chelsea. A t 
times he furnishes 
employment to several 
well-paid hands and 
is considered one ot 
the most practical 
men on questions of 
plumbing, ventilating 
a n d heating. His 
experience and thor- 
ough knowledge of 
the business make 
him well adapted for 
his position as inspect- 
or. Mr. Winslow has 
served as a member 
of the city govern- 
ment, both in the 
common council and 
winslow. on the board of water 

commissioners, in the 
latter body serving for six years. He is 
a member of several organizations, among 
which are the Order of Fraternal Helpers, 
the Red Men, the Royal Arcanum, the 
A. ( ). U. W., the Pilgrim Fathers, being 
governor of Suffolk colony in the last 
order. He resides on Bellingham street 
and for many years has been active in the 
Mount Bellingham Methodist-Episcopal 
church, where he was at one time super- 
intendent of the Sunday school. As a 
citizen and a business man he stands 
hi eh. 




CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



'83 





RESIDENCE AT 
LYNN MOVED BY 
JOHN SOLEY. 




comfortable home are 
his yards where his 
teams and building 
moving apparatus are 
kept. He is one of 
the largest in his line 
in the state and his 
operations extend far 
outside the limits of 
Boston ; and occasion- 
ally he is called out- 
side of Massachusetts. 
His skill as a building 
mover and contractor 
makes his services and 
that of his large corps 
of men, which varies 
from thirty to seventy, as the occasion re- 
quires, in steady demand. Besides mov- 
ing large buildings safely and successfully, 
he makes contracts for raising roofs and 
moving boilers and the heaviest machinery 
and setting the same in position. He has 
offices at 1 7 Otis and 166 Devonshire streets, 
Boston, 102 Central avenue, Lynn, and 37 
Webster street, Hyde Park. His business is 
an extensive one. Appended are illustra- 
tions of two of the large number of brick 
buildings moved by his competent force of 
men. One of these, a brick residence at 
Lynn weighing about 900 tons and the other 
a savings bank building at Newton. Mr. 
Soley is one of the ablest members of the 
Chelsea city government, and is highly pop- 
ular in the community in which he resides. 



From his promi- 
nence in public affairs 
and extended reputa- 
tion, Alderman John 
Soley needs no intro- 
duction in the pages 
of this book. During 
the many years he has 
resided and made his 
business headquarters 
here, he has shown 
that spirit of progress 
which wins success in 
all things undertaken. 
He resides on Maple 
street and near his 



BUILDING AT NEWTON MOVED BY JOHN SOLEY. 



184 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



Woodsum Bros. 

Situated on Arlington street near the 
Chelsea station, their property adjoining 
the eastern division of the Boston iV 
Maine railroad, is the firm of Woodsum 
Bros. They are engaged in the hay, 
straw, grain and feed business, their 
stock being sufficiently large for their 
rapidly increasing trade. They are suc- 
cessors to G. A. Hall & Co., whose busi- 
ness they purchased in September, 1897, 
at No. 2 Sixth street. Being possessed 
of unusual enterprise they soon increased 
the business of their predecessor to such 
an extent 
that they 
were oblig- 
ed to seek 
1 a r g e r 
quart e r s , 
and the 
foil o w i n g 
March 
purchased 
the build- 
ing and 
moved to 
their pres- 
e n t loca- 
tion. Be- 
sides pos- 
sessing un- 
ex c elled 
f aci lities 
for receiv- 
ing goods 
by rail, a 
spur track 
of the 
Boston i\- Maine adjoining their building, 
they have a very large storage capacity, 
their building being 120x40 feet in dimen- 
sion. Although they are young men, G. 
A. Woodsum but 25 and W. F. about 23, 
they have the benefit of valuable experi- 
ence. This they acquired from their 
father, J. A. Woodsum, who was once 
the largest wholesale shipper of hay 
from the Kennebec valley. That he 
gave his sons valuable schooling in 
their present business, is demonstrated 
by their success in Chelsea. Two 
teams are required to fill the orders 




WAREHOUSE OF WOODSUM BROS. 



of the trade. They are natives of 
China, Me., where they were educated 
and their father now resides. 

Phillips & Hodgdon. 

Supplying a large family trade is the 
firm known as Phillips & Hodgdon, 
whose large coal pockets are situated on 
Marginal street. The business was 
founded in 1873, under the name of 
Phillips, Taylor & Co., the original mem- 
bers being George E. Phillips, Theo. N. 
Taylor and John K. Hodgdon, all of 
whom are now deceased. The business as 

originally 
c a r r i e d 
o n w a s 
diminutive 
compared 
to that 
d one at 
the present 
d a y . In 
1S86, Mr. 
Taylor 
withd r e w 
from t h e 
firm, being 
in delicate 
health, 
and died 
the follow- 
i n g year. 
After his 
retirement 
the con- 
cern be- 
c a m e 
known as 
Phillips &: Hodgdon, and has continued 
as such to the present time. In 1896, 
Mr. Hodgdon, who was most active in 
public affairs and prominent in social 
organizations, was removed by death. 
In 189S, Mr. Phillips, who was a well- 
known resident of Melrose, after a long 
and protracted period of ill health, passed 
away. During the past few years, the 
responsibility of continuing the business 
has devolved upon the manager, and 
the noticeable increase in the firm's busi- 
ness shows that it is ably conducted. 
The large wharf property owned and 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



185 



occupied for this extensive coal business is 
300 feet deep and possesses 100 feet of 
water front. The exceedingly deep 
water at these wharves makes it an 
especially desirable place for vessels to 
unload. A high-grade, clean coal is 
dealt in, a specialty being made in family 
trade in Chelsea and immediate vicinity. 
Wood, hay and grain are also dealt in 
and the firm's operations have grown to 
large proportions, 20,000 tons of coal a 
year being handled. Orders at this 
wharf or any of their branch offices are 
responded to with a proverbial prompt- 
ness, which, with the reputation of the 
firm for reliability and business integrity, 
have done much towards increasing the 
business to its present extent. 



David Caro. 



An old and esteemed resident of Chel- 
sea, standing high in business circles, is 
David Caro, the pioneer in the crockery 
line, who for over a score of years has 
conducted a successful business here 
under the name of D. Caro. During that 
period he has been located in the imme- 
diate vicinity of his present store, 239 
Broadway, where he removed in 1SS5. 
The store has since been enlarged to 
double its original size to meet the 
requirements of the growing business. 
The establishment is favorably known as 
Caro's Department store and is over 100 
feet deep. Contained there is the end- 
less variety of goods usually found in a 
store of its kind, and so closely is it 
stocked that it almost bulges out at the 
sides, so to speak. The many depart- 
ments, all of which are small stores in 
themselves, show goods at prices which 
would seem to vanquish the competition 
of the Boston stores, and it is a well- 
known fact that the establishment does 
much to retain the trade justly accorded 
to home industry. The store has been 
noticeably improved every year, new 
attractions in the way of goods are found 
every day. A general stock of kitchen 
furnishings, crockery, china, glass and 
table ware, notions, toys, hardware, 
lamps, and the thousand and one things 
contained make the place one much fre- 



quented by the local house-keeper. New 
departments will be added from time to 
time. Although not a native of Chelsea, 
his long residence has won him the 
acquaintance and regard of a majority of 
the residents; while his business dealings 
have been such as to gain him the confi- 
dence of the community and the buying 
public. He has always felt a warm inter- 
est in the city of his adoption, and is a 
member of the different Masonic bodies 
here, as well as beinsr a member of the 




DAVID CARO. 



United Workmen, Royal Arcanum and 
board of trade. 



C. H. Adams. 



.Success attained in the face of great 
obstacles is the story stated regarding 
the now well-known druggist, Charles 
Homans Adams of Washington avenue. 
He has resided and done business in this 
city since August, 1S96, when he came 
here from his home in Gloucester and 
purchased the store, the trade of which, 
together with the tone of the establish- 
ment, he has elevated in no small degree. 
He was born in Gloucester, and is a son of 



iS6 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



Geo. W. Adams, Jr., the hero of the 
blowing up of the Commodore Jones in 
the late rebellion, and who was presented 
with a cutlass on an occasion calling for 
patriotic demonstration by the inhabi- 
tants of that city. His son obtained his 
education at 1 himmer academy, South 
Byfield, and has been associated with the 
drug business since he was sixteen years 
of age. He learned the first mysteries 
of the business at A. J. Atkinson's, 
Newburyport, after which he was em- 
ployed at Kettle's, one of the most reliable 
pharmacies in the city of Boston. From 




K. A. E. (). He is also one of the many 
eligible to the Sons of the American revo- 
lution and a member of the Knights of 
Malta, American Mechanics and Sons 
of Veterans. 



R. H. Nichols. 



An energetic business man of up-to- 
date methods is R. H. Nichols, the pro- 
prietor of the Bay State press, now 
located in new and improved quarters at 
1 6 Washington avenue. The business of 
this live job printer was established over 
ten years ago, and in that time he has 




C. H. ADAMS. 

I'ii <io by Purtly. 

there he went to Franklin and was em- 
ployed by A.C.Dana, some time after 
which he went to Pittsburg and started in 
business tor himself. Selling out there 
on account of ill health he returned to his 
mother's home in Gloucester and located 
here as before stated. In making a first- 
class drug store out of his establishment, 
now safely patronized by women and 
children, he has won the approbation of 
the public in the vicinity. He has, as 
well, become active in business and 
social circles. He was recently elected 
excellent senator of Mount Carmel senate 



H. NICHOLS. 



built up a good patronage and reputation 
for turning out every variety of good and 
thorough work in his line. His new and 
handsome quarters, which are on the 
ground floor, were moved into in May, 
1898, to meet the demands of a largely 
increased business, and much has been 
added to facilitate the mechanical work 
of the office, as well as a desirable stock 
of stationery. New type and paper cut- 
ting machine with facilities for binding 
and engraving. These, with rapid elec- 
tric power presses and the many fonts of 
new type, make the equipment of the 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 




Vermont, a resident of Washington ave- 
nue and a member of the Alter E°o club. 



W. R. Bennett. 



W. R. BENNETT. 

place complete. Mr. Nichols is known 
as a thoroughly practical and artistic 
printer, and excels in the printing of 
wedding cards, business cards, billheads, 
letterheads, envelopes, dance orders, pro- 
grammes, by-laws and other work. He 
invariably fulfils his promises and evi- 
dently realizes 
that in the pro- 
duction of his 
work he is in 
competition with 
Boston fi r m s . 
The fact that 
since coming to 
Chelsea, in 1887, 
he has held his 
e n d well u p 
proves his ability 
to execute the 
work of both 
large and small 
orders. For the 
past two years 
he has had com- 
plete charge of 
the printing of 
the city reports. 
He is a native of 



Among the many successful business 
men of Chelsea, W. R. Bennett is promi- 
nent. His achievements reflect credit 
upon his close application to business. 
He was born in Cincinnati, August, 1863, 
and with his parents came to Chelsea in 
1875. After finishing his education in 
the local public schools he went to work 
in a grocery store, and by close economy 
and self denial saved the wherewithal to 
start in business for himself. It was 
therefore that in 1885, with $365 capital, 
he embarked in the business that has 
grown, year by year, to its present pro- 
portions. His first location was on 
Broadway in the vicinity of his present 
attractive and generously stocked store, 
but a decade ago he purchased the old 
Grace chapel structure and converted the 
same into his present establishment. His 
trade comprises a large number of the 
leading families of the city and he sup- 
plies meats, provisions and groceries to 
his customers, three teams being kept 
busy delivering goods. The market over 
which he presides and to which he gives 
his undivided attention is conceded to be 




INTERIOR OF W. R. BENNETT'S STORE. 



i88 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



one of the neatest and most attractive in 
the vicinity of Boston. .Mr. Dennett 
provides for his patrons the very best 
the market affords, a statement easily 
verified. At the time of his marriage in 
1894, he built a comely residence on 
Clark avenue where he now resides with 
his wife and two children. He is a 
member of Mystic lodge, I. O. O. F. and 
the Essenic order. His attractive store, 
now notice- 
ably enlarg- 
ed, is located 
at the corner 
of Broadway 
and Eleanor 
street. 



Herbert 
H. Carter. 




Among the 
business men 
taking an ac- 
tive interest 
in the welfare 
of Chelsea, is 
Herbert H. 
Carter, a well 
known funer- 
a 1 director, 
whose office 
and ware- 
rooms are on 
Broad w a y . 
He was born 
in Lowell in 
i860. It 
was in the 
bustling "city 
of spindles" 
that he spent 
his boyhood 

days and obtained his education. In 
1876, he removed to Chelsea and associ- 
ated himself with the late Henry Noyes, 
his stepfather, and started to learn the 
undertaking business. Inder his step- 
father's tutorship, young Carter had ex- 
cellent training, and after acting as 
assistant, he succeeded to the business at 
the decease of Mr. Noyes. He has 
since maintained the high reputation of 
the place, keeping up the equipments 



HERBERT H. CARTER. 



needed for a high class of patronage, and 
is considered a leading and up-to-date 
funeral director. He takes full charge of 
all arrangements and details necessary in 
the homes where death enters the door, 
his capabilities, experience and kindly 
manner gaining him much prestige in 
this vicinity. He is a prominent figure 
in fraternal circles. Mr. Carter is con- 
nected with all the Masonic bodies in 

Chelsea, be- 
ing a Knight 
Templar and 
a member of 
t h e Mystic 
shrine. H e 
is also much 
interested in 
the Indepen- 
dent Order 
of Odd Fel- 
lows, being 
a member of 
both the 
Scarlet E n - 
cam p m e n t 
and Canton. 
He is also 
identified 
w i t h the 
Kn igh t s of 
Pythias, Im- 
proved Order 
of Red Men 
and Sons of 
Veterans. 
Mr. Carter is 
a member of 
the Alter Ego 
club. He 
conducts a 
sue c e ssful 
business and 
the fittings of his establishment make it 
one of the best in the suburbs of Boston. 
He is thoroughly schooled in the art of 
embalming and conducts his vocation with 
professional skill. 



C. N. Perkins. 



Charles N. Perkins was born and 
brought up on a farm in the State of New- 
York. He was one of four sons. He 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



189 



disliked farm life, but he did love music, 
and at the age of eight years wanted a 
violin. Having procured one he began, 
taking lessons of Professor Gleason. 
Having a good ear for music practice he 
learned fast, and at the age of nineteen 
played in the band of Professor E. Lee, 
continuing some three years. He was 
then attending the high school at Claver- 
ick, N. Y., and at the end of two years 
graduated and taught school for a num- 
ber of terms thereafter. Retiring from 
teaching he went into the grocery busi- 
ness, making this a success in like man- 



working his way up, continuing with C. 
I). Blake & Co. for the past ten years. 
Although meeting with many hard strug- 
gles through hard times, today we find 
him located in a finely stocked store at 
394 Broadway, Chelsea, containing 
pianos, sewing machines and stationery. 
He is master of his hard earned business 
and one now can congratulate him on his 
success in this city. 



James Carroll Denning. 

An energetic young business man is 




J 




C. N. PERKINS. 

ner. Meeting his wife at this time, she 
being from Chelsea, he sold out his 
grocery business after ten years, and 
came to Chelsea with her, where, in a 
few days after arrival he obtained a 
position on the L. & B. R. R., as a con- 
ductor, which he held for one year. 
Relinquishing that he engaged with a 
sewing machine company, with whom he 
remained three years. Meeting with C. 
D. Blake & Co., of Boston, the large 
piano dealers, he engaged as a canvasser 
with good results. He soon started 
a small store in Chelsea with two pianos, 



JAMES C. DENNING. 

Photo by Purdy. 

James Carroll Denning, the well-known 
contractor and builder. He was born in 
this city about thirty years ago, and ob- 
tained his education in the local public 
schools. He learned his trade in the good 
and thorough way, serving his time as an 
apprentice under James A. Flannigan. 
Being an apt apprentice he became a 
skilful workman, and during the many 
years employed by Mr. Flannigan, he was 
engaged in the building of many impor- 
tant structures, two years of his work 
being in Cambridge and one year in 
Washington, D. C. That his wide ex- 



190 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 




INTERIOR OF OFFICE OF GEORGE F. WILCOX. 



perience in the contracting business while 
employed by others was profitable to him 
was duly demonstrated when he engaged 
in business for himself in 1894, in South 
Boston, with a partner, where the firm 
carried out several important contracts 
and employed numerous hands. Some 
months ago, he opened his present shop 
in Chelsea, located at the rear of 88 
Congress avenue. He does a large job- 
bing business, and has the reputation of 
being one of the most reliable and practi- 
cal men in his line. He possesses thor- 
oughly modern ideas in all matters 
pertaining to his trade, and it is stated on 
good authority, that his estimates on 
large or small jobs scarcely deviate a 
hair from the ultimate cost. Having 
resided in Chelsea all his life, he has a 
wide acquaintance in business and social 
circles. He was for several years an 
active member of the St. Rose Tem- 
perance and Benevolent society, and is 
a prominent member of council 83, 
Knights of Columbus. 

George F. Wilcox. 

Among the youngest business men of 
Chelsea is George F. Wilcox, who con- 
ducts the real estate and insurance busi- 
ness at 318 Broadway. He is one of the 

hustling young men of the city, and is a 



son of James F. Wilcox, 
a veteran of the late war 
and thirty years a resi- 
dent of Chelsea. He 
is employed by some of 
the Boston property 
owners here and does 
no little in looking after 
the care and sale of local 
real estate. Well versed 
in the value and location 
of available houses and 
land he is enabled to 
offer at his office many 
inducements for people 
to invest in or rent 
houses here. He is well 
known in this city, hav- 
ing been brought up 
here. He is a member 
of the Alter Ego club 
and a justice of the 
peace. An illustration of his busy office 
and portrait of himself are presented 
herewith. 



J. F. Sullivan & Co. 



A firm well adapted to the business 
carried on successfully for the past eight 
years is J. F. Sullivan «S: Co., the well- 
known real estate dealers, who have an 
office at 416 Broadway, Chelsea. Mr. 




J. F. SULLIVAN'S REAL ESTATE OFFICE. 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



191 



Sullivan is a native of this city and ob- 
tained his education in the public schools, 
entering on his business life in the employ 
of the New England News Co., on Frank- 
lin street, Boston, where for eight years 
he held the position of cashier. His 
entree in business circles on his own 
account was crowned a success from the 
start. He attends to his full share of the 
business in his line, taking entire charge 
and care of property, negotiating mort- 
gages, buying, selling, appraising and 
transferring real estate. At his office on 
Broadway he has the name of ever having 
a large list of desirable tenements. He 
has also been identified with some impor- 
tant sales and transactions, and merits 
the confidence reposed in him by the 
community. He also writes fire insur- 
ance, representing the Germania Fire 
Insurance Co., of New York, and the 
Magdeburg Insurance company, of Ger- 
many. He is an active member of 
Chelsea Board of trade, and is known as 
one of the wide-awake young business 
men of this city. 



D. H. Sullivan. 



This real estate and insurance man 
claims the distinction of being the only 
man in his line in this city especially 
trained and instructed for the same. He 
left the high school in 1S80, and studied 
the business from root to branch until 
1889, when be launched out for himself 
and now is a leading real estate agent. 
He is thoroughly familiar with the value 
and conditions of almost every piece of 
realty, and an expert on appraisal. His 
principal business is buying and selling 
real estate, and he has passed through 
his office some of the largest conveyances. 
Being a Chelsea boy he takes pride in 
his native city, and it is always his pleas- 
ure when away from home, no matter in 
what city, to sign from Chelsea. Mr. 
Sullivan combines with his business the 
care of estates and collection of rents, a 
branch needing constant attention which 
his experience and prompt returns have 
gratified and added to his clients. In- 
surance forms an important branch of 
his business and his prompt and liberal 



settlement of losses places him in the 
foreground. He is the resident agent of 
a number of foreign and home companies, 
among which may be mentioned the 
Norwich Union society of London, Eng- 
land ; American, of Boston, and Spring 
Garden, of Philadelphia. He is scarcely 




D. H. SULLIVAN. 



Photo by Purely. 

34 years old, his energy, enterprise and 
thorough knowledge and experience bid 
fair to win him a mark in his business. 



George F. Slade, Jr. 

When it comes to photographs, the 
subject of this sketch, from his valuable 
work for this volume, comes in for honor- 
able mention. Although a young man, 
few in the opinion of the writer, who 
claims to be somewhat of a judge of the 
merits of photographs, are possessed of 
more ability to make satisfactory work in 
their every attempt than this same 
talented photographer. He is no stranger 
to the resident readers of this book, hav- 
ing been born and brought up in Chelsea. 
He is a son of George F. Slade, the well- 
known resident of Cary avenue. After 
obtaining his education in the public 



J 9 2 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



schools he became associated with his 
father in the cigar manufacturing busi- 
ness. His love for the camera soon 
prompted him to develop a rare talent 
and finally he engaged in the art as a 
business. He makes views of all kinds, 
many of which are shown in this work ; 
also developing, printing and mounting 
amateur effort. During the summer 
months he has a location at Lake Sunapee, 
New Hampshire, but during the rest of 
the year he is to be found at 25 Cary 



ness for himself he was employed for five 
years in Boston at the studio of Miller & 
Kowell. Fourteen years ago he opened 
up a studio for himself at 280 Broadway, 
Chelsea, removing to his present hand- 
somely fitted up establishment eight years 
ago. He is a first-class all around photo- 
grapher, excelling in both portrait and 
out door work. At his studio specimens 
of his pictures include a large number of 
Chelsea citizens, while many of his views 
are reproduced in this book. He is a 





, „ GEORGE F. SLADE, JR. 
Photo by Purdy. 

avenue, with office at the Bay State 
press, 16 Washington avenue. He is 
invariably to be relied upon as to prom- 
ises, and his work in all the branches he 
undertakes is of the very highest grade. 

C. E. Brown. 



C. E. BROWN. 



This well-known photographer, whose 

studio is at 327 Broadway, was born in 
Auburn, X. H. His father, J. S. Brown, 
served in the war of 1S12. The subject 
of this sketch, after obtaining his educa- 
tion, came to Chelsea, and after the war 
broke out in 1S63, enlisted in the service. 
Before starting in the photographing busi- 



member of the G. A. R., Red Men and 
Order of Fraternal Helpers. 



George T. Putnam. 

Chelsea's leading photographer, George 
T. Putnam, with studio at 198 Broadway, 
Chelsea square, many of whose portraits 
and views are reproduced in this work, 
has resided and carried on business in 
Chelsea for the past six years. It was in 
1892 that he took the studio formerly 
conducted by Hayden, and has since won 
for the place a high reputation. His 
work compares favorably with that eman- 
ating from the leading studios of the state 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



l 9i 




WASHINGTON TABLET. 



and his prices are much more reasonable. 
The studio is the finest equipped and larg- 
est in Chelsea and one of the largest 
outside of Boston. He is up to date in 
producing pictures, those made at his 
studio embracing every branch of photog- 
raphy, including life size crayons, pastel 
and water color portraits. As a view 
artist, he is well known. Having been 
engaged in the business for the past thirty 
years, it is doubtful if any photographer 
in this state has a greater knowledge of 
his avocation. 



Washington Tablet. 



The accompanying tablet was placed in 
the wall of Washington park in 1889, by 
ex-Mayor Hermon W. Pratt, and was the 
first tablet erected in the city of Chelsea. 
The land-mark was formerly the stepping 
stone of the old home known as the 
Washington Pratt house, which was re- 
moved in 1855 and supposed to have 
been 250 years old. Here Captain 
Thomas Pratt lived during the first three 
quarters of the last century, and in the 
vicinity his descendants still reside. 

Henry M. Greer. 



Mr. Greer is the son of Henry J. 
Greer, the well-known journalist and 
teacher of shorthand at the English High 
school, Boston. The younger Mr. Greer 
is engaged in the real estate and insurance 
business and, beyond a doubt, is the 
junior of any one similarly employed in 
this vicinitv, having but recently passed 
his twentieth year. For some time he 



assisted his father and for two 
years was connected with the busi- 
ness department of the Boston 
Post. He succeeded last Febru- 
ary to the business of the late D. 
C. Sisson, and has his office on 
upper Broadway, Chelsea, the same 
being in a part of the city that is 
growing rapidly, as regards popu- 
lation and new buildings. He is a 
discriminating judge of real estate 
values and has on hand desirable 
property for sale or to rent. A 
large number of tenements have 
also been placed in his charge. The fol- 
lowing fire insurance companies are repre- 
sented through this office : Globe, of New 
York, Norwalk, and the American, of 
Newark, N. J., one of the richest organi- 
zations of its kind in the country. Mr. 
Greer is a member of the Chelsea Cycle 
club. For a young man, he has had an 




HENRY M. GREER. 



extensive experience, and, as he has kept 
his eyes open, it is telling to advantage. 



The Chelsea Gazette. 

The Chelsea Gazette was established 
by Messrs. Arthur B. and Henry L. 



194 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



Champlin, and the first issue appeared on 
April 3, 1886. In size it was the same as 
that of today, a six column quarto. From 
the very first it achieved popularity. In 
politics it was republican. While con- 
trolled by its founders, Hon. Arthur B. 
Champlin became mayor of Chelsea, and 
subsequently state senator, both of which 
facts gave prestige to the newspaper, and 
it enjoyed a season of great prosperity. 
Subsequently, the mayor and senator be- 

c o m i n g i n - 
t e r e s t e d in 
other busi- 
ness enter- 
p ri s es, the 
n e w spa p er 



cause of nodicense was aggressively cham- 
pioned. Success crowned nearly every- 
thing the Gazette undertook, and the 
results are seen today in the better and 
improved Chelsea. In typographical ap- 
pearance, in general handling and presen- 
tation of news matter, and in editorial 
policy, the Gazette is now ranked with 
the best of local newspapers in Massachu- 
setts, and its ideas have been widely 
copied. 




In Conclusion. 



GEORGE J. 
ri,,, i,, by Purdy. 



WILLIAM ALCOTT. 
I'hoto by Purdy. 

was to some extent neg- 
lected, and at the end of 
its tenth year it had lost 
some of its former pres- 
tige. On July 13, 1896, 
the Gazette was bought 
by Messrs. George J. ami 
William Alcott and John I,. Wright. At 
once it jumped into the popularity of 
Chelsea readers. Changes in the make- 
up were made, a new dress of type was 
put in, illustrations of local persons and 
scenes were presented each week, ener- 
getic efforts were put forth to get news, 
and a number of reforms in municipal 
and civic life were agitated. The remov- 
al of the old brick wall at the naval 
hospital was accomplished. The adorn- 
ment of Winnisimmet square was sup- 
ported. The establishment of parks was 
urged. The improvement of the streets 
for bicyclers was endorsed. Better rail- 
road accommodations were called for. 
The establishment of unfavorable or 
obnoxious businesses was opposed. The 




In acknowledging the generous co- 
operation of all who have in vari- 
ous ways assisted in making this 
volume a success, the 
compiler would express 
his keen appreciation. 
That Chelsea, as a com- 
munity is possessed of 
more than the average 
local pride, public spirit, 
and generosity was dis- 




covered at the 
outset of this 
enterprise. It 
is trusted that 
this book will 
be accepted john l. wright. 

as the result of 

the writer's best effort from the resources 
at hand. Among those contributing to 
the souvenir the following are deserving 
of especial mention : Suffolk Engraving 
Co., photo - engravings ; The Sparrell 
Print, composition and presswork ; H. W. 
Upham & Co., binding : Purdy & Co., 
Geo. T. Putnam, Geo. F. Slade, Jr., and 
C. E. Brown, photographers ; John II. 
( 'rand on, sketch of Chelsea Hoard of trade. 
C. B. < in 1 ESPIE. 



CHELSEA ILLUSTRATED 



*95 



Errata. 



Page 52, sketch of Kimball Easter- December, 1864, instead of 1863 as 
brook : promoted first lieutenant, Nov- implied. Page 23, Hose house building, 
ember 1864, appointed quartermaster, R. S. Frost Hose 3, instead of Hose t. 



'I ' » i r 






5^° ra ^kin^^ : Buck.Man^- ,$£$ 



se 




EVERETT AVE. 8c MAPLE STS. CHELSEA , MASS. 



196 



\l>\ ERTISEMENTS. 



■^^mm^mm^9m^mmmmmmm^^^m^mmmmm^mmmm^mmm^&m^^^mmm^^mmBB 



ALWAYS UP-TO-DATE. 



THE SPARRELL PRINT 



It is related that the children of Israel could 
not make bricks without straw. It is equally 
difficult to produce modern effective printing 
without facilities. To say that we are the best 
printers in New England, even -if true, would 
perhaps hardly be in good taste. « * « « « 




To be the cheapest we have no desire. We never 
sacrifice the legitimate profit necessary to best work 
merely to keep a competitor from getting the order. 
The Sparrell Print possesses the best equipped 
office in New England. It is at your service at the 
lowest prices consistent with most excellent results. 



No. 55 Franklin Street, Boston 

Telephone 2724. 



# 



AEIVERTISF.MI NTS. 



197 




I Avl?^ Kit 



198 



\I>\ TRTTSF.MF.NTS. 



Winnisimmet National Bank 



Capital, $100,000. Surplus, $20,000. 




J. H. CUNNINGHAM, President. ALBERT D. BOSSON, Vice-President. 

E. H. LOWELL, Cashier. 



ALBERT D. BOSSON. 
NATHAN F. CARRUTH. 
JOHN H. CUNNINGHAM. 
WM. C CUTLER. 



DIRECTORS. 

GEO. H. HOOD. 
JOHN C. LOUD. 
M. EUGENE RICE. 
GEO. B. SWETT. 
SCOTT F. BICKFORD. 



JOHN H. WILKINSON. 
ALFRED S. FOSTER. 
AUGUSTUS L. THORNDIKE. 
OLIVER S. FOSTER. 



ADVERTISEMENTS. 199 



ORDERED BY PHYSICIANS FOR THE SICK 
ROOM, AND PRONOUNCED AN EXCELLENT 
WATER FOR ALL DOMESTIC PURPOSES J* Jt 



m % 

Columbia § 

Litbia Spring Plater | 

IS A SUPERIOR WATER ^ 



PURE, SOFT 
and NATURALLY 
OXYGENATED 



Delivered in five-Gallon Glass Carboys, at 5c per Gallon. 

ORDERS PROMPTLY ATTENDED TO. 



6. D. Dow8 & Co. 

Revere, JMass. 



ADVERTISEM1 NTS. 



The « 
Right Idea 



ACTUAL VISIBLE WRITING AND DIRECT INKING, 



The Williams 
Typewriter has both. 




Com Hi riG^ Speed, Simplicity, Portability, Durability. 

II ighly u 1 1 to-date and strictly high grade. Guaranteed 

all over. Does everything expected of a writing machine. 

The use <>f a pad instead of ribbon saves bother, is cleaner, produce 



better work, and reduces cost of maintaining one-half. 



. _ . No Ribbon 



Investigation Solicited. Trials Freely Given. 

Remember this is an age of progress. The best of yesterday gives way to the better 
of to-day. Catalogue on application. Communications cheerfully answered. 

John P. Lovell Arms Company 



Sole N. E. Agents. 



163 & 165 Washington St., Boston, Mass. 



' j^S^^^^sissg^^^^^^^ 



ADVERTISEMENTS. 



•vii?'/!^ ■?»«• */!*■ •vl*' -v*** *v**» '/*«• *»I*» •»»<« *»"«• *vTv* *j , is« '>*«» ****» ''/*<♦ »»**• •»**• "Vic I'v"- *v*<* *»*<• *v*<* -vTc* ♦>*<• "j*?**"? *>"<♦ *>*<• *"/*«» *■/"<• 






*?!*» 
•M*?. 



~A$ 
~/r? 

*vT>T 



American 
Stables ... 



Tel. 
39=3. 


Hack, 




Boarding 


and 


Livery. 



Carriages furnished for Weddings, Parties and 
Funerals, in any number desired. Coupes, and all 
pleasure turnouts. Accommodations for board- 
ing horses unsurpassed and good care always. 



~A$ 






Flint Bros. 



... Proprietors 



113 Pearl Street, 
Chelsea, Mass. 



~A$ 

~A$ 

•7"** 
'/*«♦ 



y /*i? ,y /tc r '/**• ■?!*• *jw ■?«• "W "&*• '/*v» -sw '/*?'/*<*'>*<» i*c '/**• 'A* 'A* 'Af '/*<♦ *»t«" *>**• "A- -v*** •»"*• •?*«» *>!** '>*** **I<* ***** ***** ***** 



Established in 1878. 



A. D. Black's 



152 Fourth St., 
Cor. Everett 
Ave., 
Chelsea, Mass. 

Connected by 
Telephone. 



Carpet 
Cleaning: 

Works 



:•' :='':S-^''V -j-'-^- - ** V ^ ^\ ? '■' 3 *' ; :' .--'-^ V^.^-^ 



Carpet cleaning, sewing, fitting and laying, 
All forms of naptha cleansing. Feather beds 
renovated. Hair mattresses made over. Also 
manufacturers of 



Adjustable Window 
Screens and Screen Doors. 

Prices from 60 cts. upward. 



Call and examine, or send postal and I will 
call and give estimates. 



Use any public telephone for sending orders. 
We will deduct the expense from your bill. 



W W if 1 
'§ w » « 

I I I I 



Dr. Reed, 
Dentist, 
380 Broad 
way, 
Chelsea. 



4p 4p w 4p 

# 4p # 4p 

1 1 1 1 



'•..; 



■«.'■ 



'^^^^^^-^^^S^.^^^^^.^?^^?^^-' 



202 



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I 

$ 

A 

f 

i 

I 

>|V 

ft 



ft 
TEN 






A. S. HARRIS. 



W. P. HARRIS. 



Harris & Co* 



"3s 



Stock Brokers, 
7 Exchange Place, 
Boston. 

Members of the Boston 
Stock Exchange. 



Telegraph Orders Our Expense. 
Stocks Bought and Sold or Carried on 

Margin. 
Interest Allowed on Deposits. 
Coupons Cashed and Collected Free. 



=5^ 



vM 
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vf/ 
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\0? 

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CHARLES E. LEGG. ALLEN H. LEGG. 

Member Boston Stock Exchange. 



Charles E* Legg 
♦♦♦♦ & Co* ♦♦♦♦ 



STOCK BROKERS 

53 State Street, 
Exchange Building, 
Boston. 

All Classes of Stocks, Bonds and Investment 
Securities Bought and Sold on Commission. 



Correspondence and Inquiries Solicited. 



Ask 
for 



1. Turner Centre 
Cream and Butter 



y -^**¥ vv +* ** ¥¥ *» v ¥¥ v ¥¥ ¥% * 




Fresh every day 
at all first-class 
grocery stores in 
Chelsea. 



Boston Branch, 

55 Chatham 
Street. 



B.R.Bigelow 

Age.it. 



* 

* 

> 
* 
* 

ft 

* 

r» 
x 1 - 



Rogers & 
Cuthbertson 



¥ 



Dealer:, in 



Groceries z 
Provisions 



And Country Produce. 
Canned Goods. 



Fresh vegetables and fresh killed 
poultry from our own farm daily. 



146 Washington Ave., 
Chelsea, Mass. 



4 
4 
4 
4 
4 
4 
4 
4 
4 
4 
4 
4 
4 
4 
4 
4 
4 
4 
4 
4 
4 
4 
4 
4 
4 
4 
4 
4 
4 
4 
4 
4 
4 
4 



ADVERTISEMENTS. 




JOHN D. LONG, SECRETARY OF THE NAVY 

Copyright by J. E. Purdy & Co., 1897. 



NAVY DEPARTMENT. 

Washington May 17, 1898 
My Dear Sir, 

I think I have had none better than the large 

portrait photograph which you have made. I have 

reeommended a great many people who have written 

me for my photograph to get that as the best one 

I know of . 

Very truly yours, 

JOHN D. LONG 
To J. E. Purdy, & CO. 

146 Tremont Street, Boston. 



INDEX OF CONTENTS. 



V idem] i i Music . 

.(.II. 
\li oil, I let irge J. . 
Alcott, Willi. mi 
American Circulai I » mi ( 
Appleton, Thomas L. 
Vrmory .... 
\s .1 Plat e of Resilience 
\t» ood & McManus 

Ider, Walter . 
Barnes, F. 0. 
Barrett, Hon. Wm. E. . 
Benevolences . 
Bennett, W. R. 
In. kford, Scott F. . 
Bigelow, B. K. . . 
Bird's I'.ve View ofChelse 
Black, \. 1'. . 
Black, C. H. . 
Bfeisdell, J. E., M.D . 
Board of Irade 
Boston i lore and W< b Mfg. (. n 
Bosson, Hon. A. D. 
Breath, Melvin L. 
Briggs, Alton E. . 
Brown, Alfred W. . 
Brow n, C. E. . 
Buck, ( Jeoi ge II.. 
Buck, T. II. -v Co. 
Bush, Rev. R. Perry . 
Bultei field, Simeon 
Btltterfield, I .ate Simeon 
( lampbi II, Hon C. A. . 

I >.i\ id . 
i n r, Jos. R. . 
Carter, Hon. George H. 
Carter, II. II. 
I Hi. i School 
( lary-Bellingham House 
i !ary School 

i !i. null, i lain, Hon. Mellen 
l liauibeilaiii, Prescott 
Champlin, Hon. A B. . 
Chase, L. C. & C. 
Chelsea • laslight Co. 
l lielse.i ( S-azette 
( Ihelsea Sa\ ings Bank . 
( linni. .1 Engine and I look i 

Laddei II mse 
i Iheney, A. W. 
Churches 
City's Growth 
i ity Hall 

I ll\ l Mil. . 1 - . 

< ity Stables . 

i lark \venne 
K. C. M. 
( Columbia Lithia Spring 
( 'ombination Hose Four 
( on. lusion 

Hon. C. \ . 
( oiinty Sa\ ings Bank 
i i andon, John H. . 
i in ley., foseph M . 
i ml. ., William C, M. D. 
i lutting, Frederick I.. 

I »aVIS, I hell II. 

h o.i . Robert Irving, D. M. I) 

1 1.- R, ii h. in in t, Louis l.i. 
. I . ' . 

1 lodge, Mi.- late Benjamin 

Dodge, G.N. 

I louglass, Edward U. 

E irly Settlement . 

I istern Sti irage Warehouse 
n 10k, Kimball 
i mal \d\ ai 
■i . 1 1. .ii. Eug< n. I . 

Engines ' Ine and rwo . 

F.ngim rhrei 

Everett A\ enue 

Facts v 

Faunce, I II. 

Fay, 1 Ion. Frank B. 

I ■'. rry-boat. Citj < 

Fern II, J. A. . 

In. Depai in. nil 

First Mayor . 



Pa e. 



194 
194 



[8c 

55 
33 
t8 7 

64 



177 
151 
?" 
128 
7> 



1 !7 
43 
66 

65 
1 1 : 
t8, 

)7 



1 



1 ;.i 
114 
in 
[48 



'74 



1-1 .. 
[9 , 

1 us 
106 
1 46 

I 



. ; 1 



First National Bank 

1- irst Settler . 

I 11, , I Ion. Lu-11- C. 

In/, Frank E. 

In/ Public Library 

Fletcher, Hon. J. W. . 

Flint Bros. 

Frost, R. S., Ho..- Three 

R. S., Hospital 
Frost, Thomas B. 
Gould, C. Willis. . 
( iould, James . 
1 Iould, I In- I. lie Jesse 
( ii.iniie Block 

( 1 1 ami Army Block 
( rrantman, * 'ol. William 
( In in. James S. 
( In en'- Block 

I in en. The I lie I Ion. Tims. 
Green's Old Stable 
Green, I hos. William, M. I 
Greer, II. M. . 

Guild. Geo.- B. 
G u r n ey , Geo . B . 
Harris&Co. 
High School . 
Highland School . 

I I istorical Tablets . 
Hixon, W. S. 
Hopkins, Alfred . 

I lopkins, Edmund A. 
Houghton. Rev. Ros»C, I' 
Howard, A. I .. 
Hutchinson, R. \ . C. S. 

II in. hinson, Eben, Jr. . 
I unes, 1 1 11 rv W. . 
Johnson, (I. \ , M. P. 
Jones, ' Ico. H. 

Kilil.y. Frank C. 
Kimball, C. Henrv 
King, Frederick A., M. I ' 
Lane, T. II. & Co, 
Leeds, Charles. M . D. . 
I ■ . 1 ii.n les E. & Co 
Lent. Vincent I 'ill 
I in. 1 .In, Edward P. 
1 in. oln, The 

l.lltleliel.l, Rev. C. A. . 

I ittlefield, H..11. S, tli I 

l.on.l. Hon. John C. 

I ,ovell Arms Co. 

[..ivewell, S. K. St Co. . 

Low \ii lih- Co. . 

Low. John (I. 

\I ,. Fadden, R. \ . Robi rl \ 

\l agee I ui nai e Co. 

Mason, The late Henry, Jr 

M .ion, I In- late I leni \ , Si 

Mason, John M. . ' . 

M ason, 1 ulia C. 

\l iyoi and Mdermen 

Mi ( inn Block . , 

Mi ("aim. Late I. A. 

Mi ( llintock, William E. 

Mil. hell, Hon. Geo. E. . 

Me. ,iam. C. A. 

Merritt, Man us M . 

\1 mi 11 nin'1 \- 8 Howard 

Montgomery, [abez K. 

Morrill, ( leo. E. 

Naval and M ai ine I fospital: 

\, *•« II Bedding Co. 

Mew England Vi e Co. 

Nil hols, R. S. 

Moves. C. L. & CO. 

Nutting, F. II., M. D. . 

1 nn, e 01 the Watei Deparin 

1 HHest Church 

1 lid Pratt Homestead 

1 in nit, Samuel 

Parks .... 

. lohn C. . 

Perl in , C. N. 
Perl ins, Instin S. 
Phillips 8 Hodgdon 
Pi, I 1 ,rd, H. nrj 
Pierce, Rev. C. C. 
I'l,, , , R. v. C. A 



Page. 




147 


Plant of 1 !eo. 1 '. Emery 


4 


Police Court Building 


1 1 


Postoffice 


108 


I'ou ilelli. .1 11 II ill 


1 1 1 


Pratt, Hon. Hermon W. 


68 


Pram ille Si hool . . . . 


■ 


Putnam, E. B. . . . . 


. 


Putnam, < leorge T. 


1 1 


Putnam, foseph M. .1 rill, M . 1 >. 


- 1 


Purdy, f. E. & Co. 


. 


Reed, J. 11.. D. M. D. . 




Resident e of C. V. ( ampbell 


. 


Residence of Hennon W. Pratt 




Residence of John C. Loud . 


' 1 


Residence of Thomas Martin 


100 


Residence of William Mania 


. 80- 1 


Residence of Thos. Slrahan 


. 


Reniger, John 11.. 


9 1 


R<\ in- Rubber Co. 




Ri i iew ( lull House 


1 v 1 


Rn., M. E 


1 , 


Ri iln'i is, ('. ( ',. 


96 


Roberts, Col. J. H. 


T 


Roberts, 1 Ion. Ei nest W 


202 


Robet ts, hi. John . . . . 


2 4 


Rogers ^ ( uthbeiisoii . 


26 


Savage, A. J. 


|'i; 


Seaver & Co. . 


12s 


Sei 1 mil Street . . . . . 


. 


Sherman, Mr. and Mrs Thomas . 


. 


Slullalier, Late Benjamin Penhallo 


)., Lit H. ,0 


Shurtleff School . . . . 


. 


Simpson, Medora |eni ett 


1 ! 


SI id. . D. & I... Co. 




Slade, 1 leo. F., Ji . 


1 5< 1 


Small, Walter H. . 


■ 5 1 


Smith, Jay Cook 


1 . 


Si iley, John . . . . . 


1 66 


Soldiers' 1 lome 


103 


Sparrell Print, The 




Spent ei \ i enue . . . . 


lt)u 


Spencer, H. A. 


1 50 


Spoonei , Wallace . . . . 


2. .2 


Statistics on Manufacturing . 


I02 


Steal us. 1 leo. M . 


1 I I 


Steamship Sterling 


141 


Mi Minis' Fountain 


41 


Stickney, Tirrell & Co. 


44 


Stinson, W illiam, M.I' 


7" 


Sti ah. in. Hon. Thomas . 


200 


Strahan, ["hos. & i\<. 


1 ■ . 


Street 1 )epartment . 


127 


Suffolk Engraving Co. . 


I 1 2 


Sullivan. H. II 


4 ; 


Sullivan, |. F. .V Co. 


118 


Swett Car Wheel Works 


156 


lablet of Water Works 


156 


Taylor, Wm. II.. 


97 


1 , 1 i|.h and Pioneer . 


156 


1 .nn. v. 1 Ion. Samuel P. 


5° 


Phayer.J. W 


177 


fildl 11, l olni.in 


7 1 1 


T. Martin & Bio. Mfg. Co. . 


' 1 2 


1 nion I'.u 1. .... 


9T-2 


L . S. Govei linn nl 1 in Minds . 




Walker P.ios. ... 


• 


Walton. Rog< r 


1 [7 


Washington Wenue 


88 


Washington Park . 


.78 


Washington Tablet 


. 


Watei ( lommissiouei 's < Mm 1 


1 |0 


\\ .11. 1 1 (epai iineni Building . 


1 . 


Water Supply . . . . 


. 


W. hhel , | Miles G. 


. 


Wheeler Block 


153 


Win, ler. Late Win. G., M. D. 


tut . . 


Wilcox, 1 ieoi i:e 1 . 


. 


Wilkinson, |nhn 11. 


1 


Will ud, 1 . E. 


77 


Williams School 


47 


Wimnisimmel 1 'ompany . 


157 


Winnisimmet N ational B mk 


. 


WllMMsllllllli 1 I'.u ku i\ . 


. 


Winslow, F. E. . . . ■ 


1 


Winsoi ,!■.(). 


141 


W 1 i« n Cemetery, I'he 


1 


\\ ..1-1,111 Bros. 


1 


Wi ight, John 1. 



